Iranian companies considering the possibility of investing in the construction of the Meghri hydropower plant
13.02.2018,
16:43
Iranian companies are considering the possibility of investing in the construction of the Meghri hydropower plant in southern Armenia, Armenia’s deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources Hayk Harutyunyan told journalists on Tuesday.
YEREVAN, February 13. /ARKA/. Iranian companies are considering the possibility of investing in the construction of the Meghri hydropower plant in southern Armenia, Armenia’s deputy minister of energy infrastructures and natural resources Hayk Harutyunyan told journalists on Tuesday.
According to him, top managers of several Iranian companies are expected to visit Armenia soon for negotiations on the schemes, investment program and the structure of the Meghri HPP.
"Our goal is to build this hydroelectric power station. It is a major investment program to be implemented with new participants. We hope to achieve concrete results this year," Harutyunyan said. He said the project has not been implemented because the Iranian company that had assumed the corresponding obligations, did not fulfill them.
The deputy minister said also that as a result of a new study, the plant’s parameters are very likely to be revised and adjusted to changes in water resources and new technologies. Earlier, he stated that Armenia and Iran were looking for a new investor for the construction of the hydropower plant.
According to an agreement, signed between Armenia and Iran back in 2007, the hydroelectric power plant, which was to straddle the border river, was to have the capacity to produce 130 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Construction of the power plant was to start simultaneously in Armenia’s Meghri and Iran's Qarachilar. Each of the stations was to annually produce 793 million kW / h of electricity.
According to Iranian authorities, the construction was to last for five years and cost $323 million. The funding was to come from an Iranian investment company. This project was designed to give an additional boost to economic development of the region and give also a fresh impetus to improving the efficiency of bilateral economic programs.
The feasibility work was done by Iranian consulting company Sagab-Gods. The generated energy was to be shipped to Iran via a 230 KW transmission line now under construction. After the facility was to be built it was to be operated for 15 years by the Iranian Farat-Sepasat. The electricity was to be supplied to Iran to pay off the Iranian investment. After 15 years of operation, the hydropower was to become the property of Armenia.
The foundation laying ceremony for the Meghri hydropower plant was held on November 8, 2012. However, due to environmental problems related to the reduction of water volume in the Arax River, as well as the increase of water intakes from Turkey in the northern part of Armenia, it was necessary to revise this project towards capacity reduction to about 100 MW, according to the deputy minister. -0-
According to him, top managers of several Iranian companies are expected to visit Armenia soon for negotiations on the schemes, investment program and the structure of the Meghri HPP.
"Our goal is to build this hydroelectric power station. It is a major investment program to be implemented with new participants. We hope to achieve concrete results this year," Harutyunyan said. He said the project has not been implemented because the Iranian company that had assumed the corresponding obligations, did not fulfill them.
The deputy minister said also that as a result of a new study, the plant’s parameters are very likely to be revised and adjusted to changes in water resources and new technologies. Earlier, he stated that Armenia and Iran were looking for a new investor for the construction of the hydropower plant.
According to an agreement, signed between Armenia and Iran back in 2007, the hydroelectric power plant, which was to straddle the border river, was to have the capacity to produce 130 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Construction of the power plant was to start simultaneously in Armenia’s Meghri and Iran's Qarachilar. Each of the stations was to annually produce 793 million kW / h of electricity.
According to Iranian authorities, the construction was to last for five years and cost $323 million. The funding was to come from an Iranian investment company. This project was designed to give an additional boost to economic development of the region and give also a fresh impetus to improving the efficiency of bilateral economic programs.
The feasibility work was done by Iranian consulting company Sagab-Gods. The generated energy was to be shipped to Iran via a 230 KW transmission line now under construction. After the facility was to be built it was to be operated for 15 years by the Iranian Farat-Sepasat. The electricity was to be supplied to Iran to pay off the Iranian investment. After 15 years of operation, the hydropower was to become the property of Armenia.
The foundation laying ceremony for the Meghri hydropower plant was held on November 8, 2012. However, due to environmental problems related to the reduction of water volume in the Arax River, as well as the increase of water intakes from Turkey in the northern part of Armenia, it was necessary to revise this project towards capacity reduction to about 100 MW, according to the deputy minister. -0-
