Investors from Malaysia and some other countries have expressed willingness to invest in hydroelectric power plants in Iran, announced energy minister’s advisor Abbas Aliabadi.
He added that negotiations are underway with the investors, Mehr News Agency reported.
Aliabadi further said that investment in hydroelectric projects is based on the government and Energy Ministry’s macroeconomic policies.
The official stated that subsidies for the water sector pose the main challenge to attracting investment in the projects.
Once actual prices are fixed for water and electricity, the private sector would be more inclined to set up hydroelectric power plants, he said.
Noting that hydroelectric power plants do not need fuel, which is a great help in doing away with subsidies allocated to the sector, he said that ground should be prepared for private sector involvement in projects by assuring them of investment return. He stated that Iran Water and Power Resources Development Company has prioritized implementation of incomplete projects. Construction of about 7,200 megawatt power plants is underway, he said, hoping that the projects would become operational in 2010.

Reporter : mehdi akbarsefat

َApproved by : code 28

Create date : 27 May 2008 16:07

Id : 4039

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