The Integration of Energy Grids of Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Iran Can Be Completed in 2-3 Years: Avinyan

The Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia, Tigran Avinyan, believes that the integration of the energy grids of Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Iran could be completed within 2-3 years, should there be a willingness to do so.

“We are currently building high-voltage lines with both Georgia and Iran. The entire logic is to enable simultaneous operation within the network among us, Georgia, Iran, and Russia. This cooperation is very important. We now want to create a system that will allow for simultaneous operation with Russia or to change frequencies so that we can be connected,” Avinyan stated in an interview with RIA Novosti.

According to him, the essence of the grid integration is to establish “one global market and a global energy infrastructure.” “If we work intensively, this can be realized in two or three years,” he noted when asked when the integration of the grids would take place.

In December 2015, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, and Russia signed a quadrilateral memorandum aimed at managing cross-border electricity flows and enhancing the security and reliability levels of energy systems. Within the framework of the memorandum, a number of measures have been planned, aimed at creating a North-South electricity corridor, which would enable cooperation with the EEU and EU energy systems.