Iran ready to meet Pakistan power needs

Given the great need of Pakistan for electricity, Iran could export its surplus electricity to the country,” IRIB quoted Namjou as saying during a meeting with Pakistan's Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Asim Hussain in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Monday.

He went on to say that Iran is prepared to increase its electricity exports to Pakistan by 1,000 megawatts by the next three years.

The minister further explained that Iran is setting up a new electricity grid to deliver its electricity to Pakistan.

“Power lines are being installed (inside Iran) and Pakistan should take appropriate measures for transferring Iran's electricity,” Namjou added.

He also stated that Iranian companies are capable of setting up combined cycle power plants in Pakistan within 13 months.

Hussain, for his part, said that Pakistan is eager to overcome its electricity shortage through Iran's electricity supply.

He added that his country faces a shortfall of more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity that Iran could meet a portion of the need.

Iran's electricity network has integrated into the power grids of seven neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

Iran, 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.

Last week, Namjou said that Iran plans to generate more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity from renewable energy resources by 2015.