Tehran, Baku Discuss Cooperation in Power Sector

The Joint Technical Commission of Iran and Azerbaijan reviewed the two countries’ cooperation in the field of electricity in a virtual meeting. The two sides discussed the construction of ‘Khoda-Afarin’ and ‘Qiz-Qala’si dams by the two countries on Aras River, reported Fars News Agency. The budget for the dams and equipment was also reviewed. The agreement on the construction of Khoda-Afarin and Qiz-Qala’si dams and power plants was signed by Azerbaijan and Iran in Tehran in 2016 and approved by the two countries’ parliaments.

In late December, 2019, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said his country has already established transmission lines with Russia and Iran, adding that Baku is eyeing for further trilateral energy cooperation in an upcoming meeting of the energy ministers of the three countries.

In an interview with Russia-24 TV Network on December 30, 2019, Aliyev said that the Azerbaijan-Russia-Iran electricity corridor has vast potentials for energy cooperation among the three neighbors. “Azerbaijan and Russia cooperate in emergency electric power supply… and we constructed new electricity transmission lines with Iran,” he noted, adding, “Therefore, the electricity power energy is active among Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia.”

Aliyev added that the countries’ energy ministers will discuss collaboration in the field, highlighting that the Azerbaijan Republic is currently exporting electricity to Georgia, Turkey and the European states. Azerbaijan has also established a new line for transferring electricity with Iran. Therefore, the electricity corridor is currently in operation among Iran, Russia and Turkey, he said. - Iran Daily