Iran is preparing to import a limited amount of electricity from southern Russia through Azerbaijan, mainly during the peak summer months when the country faces significant power shortages. This initiative emerged from recent discussions between Iranian and Russian energy ministers focused on enhancing regional electricity cooperation and synchronizing power grids.
On July 13, Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi met with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov in Tehran, where they reviewed results from a 2019 economic study by the Iranian firm Monenco that explored synchronizing the power systems of Iran and Russia via Azerbaijani territory. Both ministers agreed on the creation of a trilateral working group to facilitate coordination between the three countries’ energy sectors and address technical and economic challenges related to electricity imports.
The joint working group is expected to drive cooperation on various projects, including renewable energy initiatives, electricity storage solutions, and transmission infrastructure improvements. The meeting also covered ongoing efforts concerning the construction of Iran’s Sirik thermal power plant, where Russian contractors continue to operate under existing agreements. Both sides expressed commitment to resolving outstanding issues in this project through close governmental collaboration.
Iran’s electricity demand notably rises during the hot summer months, prompting the government to pursue a combination of imports and intensified domestic generation capacity. Currently, Iran’s installed power capacity stands above 100,500 megawatts, with plans to expand this to 130,000 megawatts by the end of the current government’s term.