TEHRAN, Aug. 30 (MNA) – Energy Minister has said that connecting Iran's electricity grid to Europe during the post-sanction era is not on the agenda, stating that the development of electricity trade with neighboring countries would be Iran’s first priority.Describing Iran’s main policies with regard to developing foreign electrical trade Hamid Chitchian said that, “currently, Iran’s energy diplomacy has focused on expanding electrical cooperation with several neighboring countries.”

Energy minister deemed increasing electrical trade with neighboring countries Iran’s key policy during the post-sanction era and added that, “at the moment, Iran is trading electricity to 7 neighboring countries through land borders and it is estimated that the amount of trade will increase in future.”

In response to a question on connecting Iran’s electrical grid to Europe in post-sanction era, this member of the government asserted that, “after the removal of sanctions, Iran’s main priority would be developing electrical exchange with neighboring countries and exporting electricity to Europe in not currently in agenda.”

Pointing to the need for applying changes to the configuration of Iran’s electricity production, transmission, and distribution, this official stated that, “Iran’s main priorities for the post-sanction era include using modern technologies, improving plant efficiency, implementing smart electrical grids, reopening credit lines, and foreign investment in power industry.”

Emphasizing that the electrical industry’s current plan is to reduce energy loss at the production, transmission, and distribution network, he stated that, “accordingly, by elimination of low voltage distribution lines from the main power grid, we will take effective measures to reduce energy loss.”

Chitchatian reported that at the moment Iran’s electricity production capacity has reached 73 thousand megawatts; therefore, several sessions with European and Asian companies and investors have been held and increasing the capacity for electricity productions has started,” concluded Chitchatian.

By Mehr News Agency