Iran aims to export electricity to India

TEHRAN, May 10 (UPI) -- With renewed investments in green energy technology, Tehran is well suited to export electricity to India, the Iranian energy minister said.

Iranian Energy Minister Majid Namjou said Tehran aims to produce as much as 1,000 megawatts of power through renewable energy resources. Private companies in India, he said, could make a similar effort to establish a partnership for electricity.

"All neighboring countries seek Iran's electricity," he was quoted by Iranian Students' New Agency as saying.

Iranian officials this week said the country is on the cusp of commissioning its first geothermal power plant. The pilot project could generate as much as 5 megawatts of power.

The courtship with India follows a visit to the region by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Clinton, during her meetings, lauded New Delhi for taking steps away from Iranian crude oil.

U.S. and European governments have targeted Iran's energy sector in an effort to curtail funds used for a nuclear program, which some believe is geared toward a weapon.

Iran, through its state-funded broadcaster Press TV, said the energy relationship with New Delhi remains durable.