Iran planning dams, power plants in 10 countries

Iran's Energy Ministry has announced plans to construct dams and power plants in 10 countries, according to state news agency Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN).

Making the announcement yesterday (Sunday) Rasul Zargar, the deputy energy minister for water and wastewater affairs, said, dams and power plants were either under construction or planned in, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iraq, Pakistan, Mali, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.

"The Sangtudeh dam and its 220 MW power plant in Tajikistan is one of the projects," said the minister. "Iran is also involved in a joint venture with Azerbaijan for building a dam and hydropower plant," he added.

Preliminary studies for the construction of a dam and hydropower plant on the Aras River in Armenia are also being conducted, said Mr Zargar.

In Sri Lanka, ground has been broken to construct a power plant at an estimated cost of € 520 million (US$ 737 million).

The Energy Ministry also plans to build power stations in Syria and Iraq.

Iran has already built the Doosti Dam northeast of Mashhad near the Turkmenistan-Iran border, the Anzab tunnel in Tajikistan, a wind power plant in Armenia, and the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline.

Similar projects are now underway in Pakistan and Mali, added Mr Zargar.

The government has also signed a letter of agreement with Turkey that will see Turkish investors participate in the construction of a hydropower plant in Iran under a BOT (build, operate, transfer) contract.