ArmInfo. RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan received Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hamid Ghanbari.
According to the Ministry of Territorial Administration's press service, Khudatyan highlighted the unprecedented scale of involvement by Iranian companies in construction projects across Armenia. A central focus of the talks was the ongoing construction of the third 400 kV Armenia-Iran power transmission line, with both sides underscoring the project's strategic importance.
Khudatyan expressed confidence that recent discussions held in Iran and the resulting agreements will enable both nations to significantly deepen bilateral cooperation in the near future.
Recall, last November, the Armenian government issued a budget loan to the Iranian company Sunir, which is building the third 400 kV Iran-Armenia power transmission line. A contract for the project was originally signed in July 2006 between state-owned High Voltage Networks of Armenia and Sunir, making the contractor responsible for the comprehensive design, supply, construction, installation, testing, and commissioning of the line and its corresponding substation.
The total cost of the project is EUR 106,847,237.51, with funding provided by a 86,447,914 loan from the Export Development Bank of Iran and a 20,399,323.51 loan from Sunir International FZE. The current completion date is set for December 31, 2034. Once operational, the project will increase electricity exchanges between Armenia and Iran from 350 MW to 1,200 MW, strengthen the stability and security of Armenia's energy grid, and enable full utilization of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline under the "Gas for Electricity" program.
In early June, RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure David Khudatyan reported that construction had reached 80% completion. Armenia currently operates a barter arrangement with Iran, supplying 3 kWh of electricity in exchange for 1 cubic meter of gas, volumes that are expected to grow significantly once the new transmission line comes online.
However, the broader North-South Energy Corridor initiative—designed to link the power grids of Iran, Armenia, Georgia, and Russia—has faced repeated delays. Originally slated for completion by the end of 2018, the Iran-Armenia line's target date was subsequently pushed to the end of 2024. Meanwhile, construction on the accompanying Armenia-Georgia power line has yet to begin.
