Iranwill start operating two combined-cycle power plants with a combined generating capacity of 648 megawatts, state-runPress TVreported, citing Mohammad Reza Qalambor, the projects manager.
The Shahid Bastami power station in the city of Shahroud and the Quds facility in the city of Semnan will be inaugurated today, Qalambor said, according to a report on the broadcasters website. Iran has invested about $38 million in the plants in the countrys central region, Press TV reported.
PresidentMahmoud Ahmadinejadin December started the second phase of a combined-cycle power plant in the northern city of Pakdasht, which the report said was the largest in theMiddle Eastand cost 2 billion euros. The Pakdasht facility has 12 units for burning natural gas to produce electricity and six units that use steam, Press TV reported.