Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Iran synchronize power grids
In the near future, technical measures will be implemented for a general check of the power grids of Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehirabian announced this at the opening ceremony of the 22nd International Exhibition of the Electrical Industry of Iran, noting that the preliminary synchronization of the power grids of the Russian Federation and Iran has already been completed.
According to Mehrabian, the issue of energy barter with neighboring countries is also being discussed. “When Iran needs electricity, it can import it from various countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkmenistan, and when Iran has a surplus, it can export electricity to countries that need this energy,” the minister said. He explains the importance of these agreements for Iran by the fact that the synchronization of power grids will help stabilize the energy system of Iran.
Iran has a great potential in the field of energy exchange, which was previously not used too much, including due to the attraction of investments in infrastructure. In Iran, a long-time elected election has become an elected power unit, but step by step, they have become chairmen only in recent years. As of now, Iran’s power grid is already available with Armenia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and fruits. A year ago, Iran was determined to synchronize the power grid with its power grid in Azerbaijan and Russia. This year, Iran also agreed to merge power grids with Qatar.
For Russia, the issue of electrical exchange in the Caspian Ministry is relevant. In October of this year, Rosseti and Azerenergy agreed to expand cooperation in the operation and development of the power grid situation in the two countries.
The issue of connecting the power grids of Iran, Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia is raised in 2015 and 2016, then Baku took part in the negotiations because of the position of Yerevan. After the victory in Azerbaijan in the 44-day war, the situation changed. The possibility of power exchange between Moscow and Tehran has also been discussed for many years. Iran and Armenia already carry power lines between them, but the energy exchange between the countries is built according to the “gas in exchange for electricity” scheme. This month, an agreement to supply gas to Iran in exchange for electricity was extended until 2030.
Grid interconnection projects are usually a widespread practice, not only to stabilize the energy systems of countries, but also to generate more revenue and better suit the needs of consumers. For example, it should be taken into account that the peak of electricity consumption in Russia occurs in the winter, and in Iran – in the summer due to the inclusion of air conditioners and ventilation systems in hot weather. As a result of checking the electricity networks, Azerbaijan will increase its energy capacity.
In Baku, issues of the development of the industry have always been of great importance. Last year, electricity exports from Azerbaijan amounted to 1.6 billion kWh, which is almost half the figure for 2020. By 2025, the construction of the Khudaferin HPP and the Giz Galasy HPP with a capacity of 280 MW in the liberated territories will be completed, in this project Azerbaijan is cooperating with Iran. In addition, a power transmission line has been laid along the Zangezur corridor in Nakhchivan to connect to the common energy system of Azerbaijan. Amid soaring electricity prices, Azerbaijan is also using Turkey’s power grid to gain access to European electricity markets.