February 23, 2005 - 19:35 AMT
RAO UES OF RUSSIA PLANNING TO EXPORT ARMENIAN ENERGY TO TURKEY AND IRAN
RAO UES of Russia is planning to export the Armenian electric power to Turkey and Iran", President of the energy holding Anatoliy Chubays stated, RIA Novosti reports. "Presently we export electricity to Georgia and are thinking of exporting the Armenian electric power to Iran and Turkey", he said. According to him, the building of the 5-th bloc of the Hrazdan Heat Power Plant (HHPP) is a priority project of the RAO UES, the project cost being 120 million euros. "The 5-th bloc construction is closely connected with the Iranian gas pipeline, which interests not only Armenia but the energy holding and Gazprom as well. "I do not rule out the possibility of joint work with Gazprom. If we achieve agreements we are ready to make investments", he said and confirmed that Midland Resource Holding LTD British company offered the RAO UES to purchase the assets of the Armenian power grid. "We are examining the proposal at present. However the decision can be taken only after coordination with the Armenian leadership, since we do not wish to make any decisions unfavorable for the authorities of the Republic of Armenia.