TEHRAN, May 24 (Mehr News Agency) -- Given its vast electricity network and strategic geographic location in the region, Iran has been picked to play the role of an electricity hub for member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), announced an official here Wednesday.

Seven ECO members have been already connected to Iran's grid, added Mohsen Hossein-Mirzaii, who is the manager of Iran Power Network Management's System Control Department.

The situation is similar to that of Europe in the past, noted the official, adding Iran should have comprehensive information about the rules and regulations of European electricity network and transfer Europe's technical know-how.

Hossein-Mirzaii said it will be to the advantage of Iran to gain the experience of connecting the electricity grids of the neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.

Iran has recently dispatched a team to Austria to pass a six-week training course on electricity systems and power grids management in Europe, the Persian service of the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported.

... Payvand News - 5/26/06 ... --