Iran may send electricity to India

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TEHRAN, June 27 (UPI) -- Iranian state media says the country could generate electricity from natural gas for delivery of 500 megawatts of electricity to India.

Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports that a proposed transmission line could deliver electricity to India.

"After an unsuccessful attempt of construction a gas pipeline between Iran and India, the two countries are now considering proposals to transmit electricity," the report states.

India was included in plans for a natural gas pipeline from Iran's offshore South Pars gas field but has since backed down in part because of U.S. pressure.

Press TV reports that India is facing an energy deficit while Iran has the ability to increase annual electricity production to more than 53,000 MW per year.

The report states that Iran's energy minister reached an agreement with New Delhi on the issue, noting transit of electricity is cheaper than natural gas.

Under the terms of the deal, the electricity would be transited through Pakistan.

"In the later stages, the two neighbors would also construct the transmission infrastructure involving many more such connections along the border, which would be managed on a joint-ownership basis," the report states.