IRI to export electricity to Lebanon, Syria

Islamic Republic of Iran will start exporting electricity to Lebanon and Syria through Iraq as of May, Energy Minister Majid Namjou said on Saturday. Talking to reporters after signing a cooperation agreement on electricity with Iraq, he added that currently, Iran’s electricity exports to Iraq stands at 1,000 megawatts but there exists capacity to export as much as 1,200 megawatts. Lebanon and Syria have earlier demanded for Iran’s electricity, he said, noting the exports to the countries will be 50 megawatts in the first phase. Iran has promised to supply Iraq's demanded electricity and in return has accepted to pave the way for export of electricity to Lebanon and Syria, Namjou said. Iraqi Energy Minister Karim Effatan al-Jamili, for his part, said that Iran will surely supply Iraq with electricity in summer. He also toured Iranian companies and said that their equipment is more suitable than their foreign counterparts.