Russia Offers Energy Interconnection with Azerbaijan and Iran

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak at the meeting of the intergovernmental commission of Russia and Iran said Moscow's desire to carry out the project of interconnection of the energy systems of Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Rosbalt reported.

"We consider it appropriate to resume the activities of the Tripartite Working Group on Interconnection to conduct feasibility studies on the connection of the energy systems," he said.

The merger of energy networks of the three countries was signed in 2004 and the relevant commission was created, but it did not go further.

With the removal of international sanctions against Iran, the project is re-actualized.

Azerbaijan has expressed its interest in it and is ready for its implementation, including the technical issues. According to Deputy Energy Minister Natig Abbasov, "Azerbaijan has the necessary infrastructure to both receive and transmit the electricity," he said.

The electricity sector in Azerbaijan is developed and consists of 14 thermoelectric power plants and more than 10 hydroelectric power plants.

Azerbaijan and its project partners will be able not only to exchange electricity, but also to serve as a transit corridor. -02D-