Tehran Times: Iran seeks to build hydro power plants in Georgia

Iran will construct Hydro-electric Power Plants (HPPs) in Georgia, develop the country’s electricity network and build electricity transmission lines between Iran and Georgia, reports Iranian newspaper Tehran Times.

Today it was revealed Iran signed three agreements with Georgia solidifying the future partnership. A media conference announcing the agreements was held on Tuesday in Iran, where Georgia’s Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze is on an official visit.

Iran will set up hydro-electric power plants in Georgia as Iranian companies have adequate experience in building dams and power plants and, Georgia … enjoys great electricity [resources],” said Iran’s Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian after meeting his Georgian counterpart, reported the Tehran Times.

The news agency reported Iran, Georgia, Russia, and Armenia discussed building electricity transmission lines in December 2015. The Tehran Times wrote the four countries would continue their negotiations in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi.

In June 2015, Iran and Armenia agreed to work on constructing their third electricity transmission line which would raise the trading capacity between the two countries to 1,200 megawatts (MW).

Referring to the Iran-Armenia electricity transmission line, Chitchian said this structure could also be used for trading electricity with Georgia through Armenia.

The Iranian minister believed trading electricity with Georgia was also possible through Azerbaijan.

Chitchian said the substation in Iran’s border city Parsabad had the capacity to supply 500 MW of electricity between Iran and Georgia.

While in Iran Georgia’s Energy Minister encouraged Iranian firms to participate in Georgia’s industries. Furthermore, Kaladze said Georgia was seeking Iran’s investment in building power plants, the Tehran Times reported.

He said there were 25,000 rivers in Georgia, 300 of which could be used as a source for setting up power plants and generating electricity.

Kaladze said currently only 18 to 20 percent of Georgia’s water supplies were used for generating power. He added Georgia was planning to put $700 million USD into renovating the country’s electricity systems, facilities and equipment, cited the newspaper.

Georgia’s Energy Ministry confirmed Kaladze was in Iran but did not give any further details to Agenda.ge.