Iran, Turkmenistan launch new electricity talks

TEHRAN, Nov. 18 (MNA) – The new round of Iran-Turkmenistan talks to complete the 400kv electricity transmission line from Mary to Sarakhs was held in Tehran. Iran and Turkmenistan conducted a new round of negotiations in Tehran on Tuesday to design and build a new transmission line between the two countries. Accordingly, Hoshang Falahatian, Iran’s Deputy Energy Minister, and the vice-chairman of Turkmenenergo State Electric Energy Corporation met in Tehran to accelerate the construction and operation of a 400kv transmission line. Describing the axis of electric negotiations conducted with the Turkmen side, Falahatian said, “construction and implementation of the electricity transmission line was the centerpiece of the meeting.” “Currently, the construction of the line in Iran has become executive and the operation in the territory of Turkmenistan will soon begin after the issuance of necessary permits,” he explained. The official referred to the visit to Ashgabat and meeting with Turkmenistan’s energy minister asserting “at the session, Iran suggested the construction of Mary-Sarakhs 400kv line to the Turkmen minister and good results were achieved there.” On the cooperation with the Turkmen company, the official said, “if the Turkmen corporation possesses the authority to decide on the project, they need to announce readiness after leaving Iran so that the project will get launched.” He pointed out that upon receiving characteristics and specifications of the Mary-Sarakhs line, the costs of the project will be estimated; “at the moment, 15 million dollars via Afghanistan and 5 million dollars via Turkey will be paid to the Turkmen company in order to advance the project,” Falahatian added. Estimating that the sanctions are expected to be lifted in two months leading to a resolution on financial problems, the official reiterated “with the completion and operation of the project, the volume of trade between Iran and Turkmenistan will increase significantly.” The field studies of the 400kv line between Mary and Sarakhs for electricity exports began about seven years ago and the executive steps started three or four years ago with a length of 170 kilometers in Iran while its implementation in Turkmenistan's territory with the length of 165 kilometers will soon be carried out after reaching a final agreement. http://en.mehrnews.com/news/112060/Iran-Turkmenistan-launch-new-electricity-talks