| Meghri Hydroelectric Project | |
|---|---|
  Location of Meghri Hydroelectric Project in Armenia | |
| Country | Armenia Iran |
| Location | Meghri |
| Coordinates | 38°54′11″N 46°17′59″E / 38.90306°N 46.29972°E |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction began | pending |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Diversion dam for run-of-river pipes |
| Impounds | Aras River |
| Power Station | |
| Turbines | 2x 50 MW (67,000 hp) each |
| Installed capacity | 100 MW (130,000 hp) (max. planned) |
The Meghri hydroelectric project (also known as the Meghri Dam or Aras Watershed Dam) is a hydroelectric project planned on the Aras River near Armenia's southern town of Meghri on the Armenia–Iran border.
The joint Iranian–Armenia project was proposed in the 1990s and was discussed between Iranian and Armenian authorities.[1][2] Intergovernmental agreements between Armenia and Iran were signed in 2007 and 2008. On 14 April 2009, energy ministries of Armenia and Iran signed a memorandum on financing construction of the Meghri power station of Armenian side.[3] The dam and power stations construction contract was signed on 16 October 2010 with Farab Sepasad Company.[3][4] A ceremony on 17 November 2012, attended by Iran's Minister of Energy and the Armenian President, officially began construction.[5]
The basic studies were carried out by Arm-Hydroenergo-Project Company and Mahab-E-Qods Consulting Engineers Company in 1999.[1] The Meghri station was to be operated by Iran for 15 years after which it will be returned to Armenia free of charge.[6] However, construction has been delayed. As of 2017, the Armenian government’s Deputy Minister of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources Hayk Harutyunyanays said "Although the agreement has long been in force, the Iranian company has not made any investments to this day, so the governments of Armenia and Iran have to look for another investor."[7] The project is expected to cost US$400 million.[8]
- ^ a b "Projects under study". Iran Water Resources Management Company. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ^ Moradi, Shima (2004-06-28). "Bitaraf Lauds Iran-Armenia Cooperation". Shana. Archived from the original on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ^ a b "Armenian-Iranian HPPs to be constructed on Araks River". News.am. 2010-09-16. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ^ "The contract for constructing of Meghri Dam & Power Plant in Armenia was signed" (Press release). FARAB. 2010-10-16. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ^ "News: Meghry Power Plant Kicks off". Iran Water & Power Resources Development Co. 17 November 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
- ^ "Iranian company to construct hydropower plant in Meghri". Armenion. 2010-09-16. Archived from the original on 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ^ "Iran and Armenia looking for new investor for Meghri hydropower plant construction". ARKA news agency. 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2019-12-13.
- ^ "Jointly Build a Dam across the Border River" (PDF). Iran Power & Water (127). Ministry of Energy of Iran: 28. October 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-01-29.