India Considers Construction of $5.1bn Gas Plant in Iran

India is trying to convince Iran to allow it to build a $5.1bn, 5,000MW natural gas-fired power station in Iran, to help it overcome a mass energy shortage, Indian Power Secretary HS Brahma said.

India, which is reeling under a severe power shortage, imports 70% of the oil it consumes.

The country has considered several alternatives to address the power shortage, including setting up natural gas pipelines from Turkmenistan and Iran via Pakistan – a plan that met oppposition due to strained relations between India and Pakistan.

It had also considered a small power plant but this was deemed impractical due to the high-voltage 1,000km power transmission line that would be required to transport the energy.

Brahma said that India’s ambassador to Iran is trying to make the proposal a reality.