Iran Press/Iran news: Speaking on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Reza Ardakanian told reporters that the financial discussions related to this project have now become completely transparent.
He noted: "The construction of these two power plants will bring many benefits to Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan."
The minister of energy considered Khoda-Afarin Dam as one of the big projects that were operationalized 20 years ago on the issue of Aras border river and noted: “Khodaafarin is an important dam on Aras border river that can manage about 1 billion and 600 million cubic meters of water."
Ardakanian said that the water of the dam reaches significant lands upstream and downstream of the Khoda-Afarin.
He stated that the total land area is 120,000 hectares, which will be watered upstream and downstream from the dam.
Ardakanian added that in addition to these lands, two hydropower plants with a capacity of 280 MW can generate electricity, which is on the government's agenda.
The official noted: "Four years ago, an agreement was signed between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan to complete the dam and discuss power plants and operation, which was also approved by the Iranian parliament."
He continued: "Among the things that had to be done was an agreement on the expenses that Iran had made in this dam and it was also approved by the parliament."
Ardakanian added: "Yesterday, during the visit of the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the minister of energy of this country, talks were held until late at night and we reached an agreement."
Heading an economic delegation, Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev traveled to Iran on Tuesday and met Iran's Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov and several Azerbaijani officials.
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