Iran self-sufficient in developing traditional power plants

TEHRAN,Feb.28(MNA)-- Iran can develop thermal and combined cycle (CCGT) power plants using entirely indigenous materials and labor, the director of Iran Power Plant Projects Management Company (MAPNA) announced on Monday. Abbas Aliabadi told that the country currently exports its technical and engineering expertise in building power projects. Aliabadi said on February 17 that Iran is currently building seven large power plants in Syria, Oman, Iraq, and Tajikistan, as well as several in Africa. By the end of the fifth five-year Economic Development Plan (2015), Iran will boost its electricity generation capacity by 25 gigawatts (GW) to 73GW, Energy Minister Majid Namjou said on February 7. Deputy energy minister Mohammad Behzad has said that the country’s electricity exports will amount to $1 billion by the end of the current calendar year (March 19, 2012). Iran currently trades electricity with Turkey, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.