Chitchian: Zanjan To Become Energy Hub

Tehran, Oct 23, IRNA - Zanjan province will become one of the country’s biggest electricity generation hub with the launch of the new power plants, said the energy minister on Wednesday. Hamid Chitchian added that the executive operations for establishing the province’s second power plant, which is to generate 500 MW and 1,000 MW of electricity in the first and second phases respectively, have begun. He added that a number of other power plant projects are to be implemented in the province, which will increase its power generation capacity to 2,500 MW. Chitchian said Zanjan enjoys high electronic capacities and has extensive infrastructures. “Since many of the country’s main power transmission lines pass through the province, development of power industry in Zanjan can help boost economic growth and employment,” he said. He added that the Energy Ministry also plans to establish the country’s biggest smart power distribution network in the province. “Three dams are under construction in the province. Once the dams are constructed, a big chunk of the province’s demand for drinking, industrial and agricultural water will be met,” he said. “Eight irrigation and drainage projects are also underway in the province, which will accelerate the development of Zanjan’s agro industry.” Chitchian urged the provincial officials to employ modern irrigation systems in agriculture and promote greenhouse agro production./end