Iran Says Armenia Lagging on Gas-Power Swap
Iran says Armenia should import 60% more gas from Iran this fiscal year and export more power, but it does not have the infrastructure to do this, according to Iran. Under a 2004 gas-to-power barter deal, which took effect in 2009, Iran sells 1mn m3/d gas to Armenia and receives 3mn kWh/d, but the sides are to increase the volumes at the same rate – 1 m3 in exchange for 3 kWh – by 60% after March 21.
According to Iran’s energy ministry’s official statistics, Iran received about 1.45 GWh Armenian gas during last fiscal year which was traded for about 37% of Iran’s total power imports.
The statistics indicate that Armenian net power supply to Iran grew 31% growth on year, but gas imports remained unchanged, suggesting that Iran paid cash on top of the barter deal last year.
Armenian official statistics also show that Iran delivered only 340mn m³ gas to Armenia in 2017, about 9% less than the previous year. However, the national Iranian gas company CEO Hamidreza Aragi announced after a meeting with Armenian energy delegation on June 17 that for Armenia to raise its imports and exports, it needs to expand both its gas and its power facilities. He said that the Iranian side has already prepared the grounds, in line with their agreement.