Iran to export power to Syria, Lebanon

Iran’s Energy Ministry Majid Namjou says the Islamic Republic is planning to export electricity to Syria and Lebanon through Iraq’s power grid.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Imad Mohammad Deeb Khamis, Namjou said Iran is capable of exporting 1,000 megawatts (MW) of power to Iraq.

He added that Syria has also demanded 500 MW of electricity from Iran.

“Iran is also able to export 50-100 MW of electricity to Lebanon through Syria,” Namjou said.

The Iranian minister said Tehran and Damascus have agreed on a long-term roadmap for cooperation in energy sector, particularly electricity.

The Syrian minister, for his part, said Damascus is willing to expand constructive relations with Iran in the field of electricity.

Deeb Khamis emphasized that Damascus has taken all necessary measures to guarantee the security of Iranian technicians working in Syria.

Iran had a total annual electricity generation capacity of 53,000 MW before 2009, which has now exceeded 60,000 MW as a result of the country’s plan to add 5,000 megawatts of capacity to the grid annually.

The country, which seeks to become a major regional exporter of electricity, has attracted more than $1.1 billion in investments to build three new power plants.