China to Cooperate with Iran in Building Wind, Solar Power Facilities

The Deputy Governor-general of China's Hebei province Zhang Qingwei, following a meeting with the Governor-general of Iran's East Azerbaijan province Alireza Beigi, said that China was interested in joint venture projects with Iran in constructing solar, wind, gas and hydroelectric power plants.

Zhang told journalists, “In addition to cooperation in developing new energy sources in this province, China is also eager to invest in the mining sector and in the car manufacturing and construction industries in (northwestern Iran’s) East Azerbaijan province,” as well as cooperation with Iranian companies in railway construction and irrigation projects, including channeling water from the Aras River to the Tabriz Plain, Tehran’s Fars News Agency reported.

Turkey and Russia are also interested in joint power ventures in Iran. Recently Iranian Energy Minister Majid Namjou announced that Iran had signed agreements with Russia and Turkey to build joint power plants, telling reporters, "At present, we have reached an agreement with the two countries with investment and technical capabilities to build joint power plants to export the generated electricity to neighboring or other countries."

Iran’s Energy Ministry reported in August that Iranian electrical exports to neighboring countries had increased by nearly 22 percent since the beginning of Iranian New Year, which began on March 21.

By. Joao Peixe, Deputy Editor OilPrice.com