Creation of Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran energy corridor in focus

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

A realization of the energy corridor among Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia will be discussed in March.

“This project was discussed today [February 21] with the Energy Minister of Iran. We agreed that in mid-March, our specialists will meet and discuss the implementation of the project and requirements specification of the Feasibility study,” Ria Novosti quoted Alexander Novak, Russian Energy Minister as saying.

The export of electricity from Russia to Azerbaijan and further to Iran will be carried out on North-South energy corridor.  

The combining of power systems of the three countries will create an opportunity for the expansion of export-import operations. Azerbaijan will strengthen its position as an exporter and transit of electricity.

A Memorandum of Understanding on the exchange of electricity between Iran and Azerbaijan was signed in December 2015.

In early 2016, Iran expressed interest in linking the electricity networks with Azerbaijan and Russia.

Islamic Republic's Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian earlier said that all three countries will benefit from linking the electricity networks.

In response, Azerbaijan confirmed the interest and readiness for resuming the meetings as part of the tripartite working group.

Azerbaijan has already turned from a country importing electricity to the country exporting it. The export potential is growing, while the country enjoys the relevant infrastructure for transmission of electricity.

This corridor can provide the energy exchange between the three countries and entry to the new markets.

The country’s power plants generated 2.19 billion kilowatt hours of electricity in January 2017, which is by 5.6 percent more than in the same period of 2016.

Thermal power plants generated 1.98 billion kilowatt hours of the total commercial electricity generated in January 2016, while hydro-power plants generated 116.6 million kilowatt hours.  Wind farms produced 1.4 million kilowatt hours of electricity and solar power plants – 2.7 million kilowatt hours of electricity in the reporting period.