October 6, 2007 (LPAC)--In a further step towards economic integration, Iran will link its power grid to nine spots in Iraq. This was announced by Iran's deputy energy minister Mohammad Ahmadian, who said it was being done at Iraq's request. Tehran Times reports today that he also said Iran would build a power plant in Iraq to help with Iraq's devasating energy shortages.

Ahmadian said that the capacity of Iran's national power grid reached 46,341 MW in the first half of current Iranian year (started March 21), representing a 9.11% rise over the same period in the previous year.