There are certain similarities between Iran's electricity grid and that of Turkey including volume of production, expansion of the network and features of the transmission lines, Hamid Chitchian, the energy minister said on Tuesday on the sidelines of his meeting with Hakan Tekin, Turkey's ambassador in Tehran.
Comparing the 270 terawatt hours electricity generated in Iran last year with 250 TW hours in Turkey, the official noted 15% of Iranian power plants are hydroelectric.
Moreover, Iran has 260 MW renewable power plants, 1000 MW atomic, and the rest are thermal.
On the critical issue of feedstock Chitchian said, "Coal is the most noticeable source of energy in Turkey." Nonetheless, Iranian power plants rely on oil and natural gas as the main source of feedstock.
Highlighting Iran's capability in building high-tech power plants, the official reiterated that Iran has become almost self-sufficient in building 160-170 megawatt gas power plants.
"Turkey does not have much energy resources that is why further cooperation with Iran in energy sector, in particular electricity, would be crucial," Fars News Agency quoted the Ambassador as saying.
Underscoring Turkey's economic performance which has had 5% growth on average in 10 years, Tekin added, "Turkey's energy demand is on the rise as annual energy consumption increased 3% during the last decade.'
According to the official, Turkey's electricity production amounted to 250 terawatt hours last year, yet 255 terawatt hours was consumed, and the shortage was purchased from Iran.
Iran is the largest exporter and importer of electricity in the Middle East and exports electric power to Armenia, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, and Afghanistan, especially during periods of peak demand. Azerbaijan and Armenia supply electricity to Iran under a swap agreement.
Coop. With Pakistan
Pakistan and Iran are developing two energy projects for electricity import, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told RIA Novosti.“Two large energy projects are being developed for importing 1,100 MW of electricity,” said Sharif. “Both sides are studying the technical and financial aspects of the project.”
Executive director of National Iranian Gas Export Company Alireza Kameli said that the first contract on electricity export was signed between NIGEC and Iran’s private company in January 2015.
He added that the initial agreement on converting gas into electricity was signed recently with four more Iranian companies.
Moreover, Kameli said Iranian companies actively monitor the electricity market in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and UAE.
Sharif added that currently, the two countries have a joint project under which Pakistan receives electricity from Iran. Power cuts are common in Pakistan because of chronic electricity shortages. “Additional supplies will start in 2016 following the modernization of infrastructure.”
