Pezeshkian gov’t resolute in overcoming power shortages via renewables: SATBA
The head of Iran’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) underlined the current administration’s efforts to develop renewable energy to overcome the intensifying electricity shortages, saying workshops for constructing renewable power plants are soon to become more active across the country.
Mohsen Tarztalab was cited by IRNA as saying on Monday that President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government has consistently focused on removing obstacles and developing renewable energy since the beginning of its tenure.
“The installed capacity of renewable power plants is now 1,710 MW, and it is hoped that by the end of Shahrivar (September 22), we will have 5,000 MW of renewable power plants, mainly solar power plants,” Tarztalab said.
“The set target of 30,000 MW of renewable energy for the country is being pursued as a minimum capacity, and its share of the country’s energy supply must increase from the current 1.7% to approximately 5%,” he added.
Pointing to plans to achieve 10,000 MW of renewable power plants by the end of the Iranian calendar year (March 20) with the help of the private sector, the official said, “SATBA has committed to contributing 7,000 MW of renewable power plant capacity to address the imbalance, and the private sector has also taken good steps. We are confident that the construction of 3,000 to 4,000 MW of renewable power plants will also begin by the private sector to help the country during next year’s electricity peak.”
Tarztalab underlined that the problem in the Iranian power industry is both during the day and night peaks, saying, “If we can utilize solar power plants with significant capacity during the day peak and hydropower plants during the night peak, balance will be achieved.”
Touching on importing power plant equipment to expedite the process of constructing solar energy plants, the SATBA chief said, “As promised to the president, and if financial resources totaling $1.5 billion are allocated in a timely manner, all necessary equipment for 7,000 megawatts of solar power plants, including 5,000 megawatts of plants under construction and 2,000 megawatts of power plant equipment, will enter the country by early August.”
Tarztalab said the construction of 5,000 megawatts of solar power plants demands national cooperation and a joint effort between the government, domestic, and foreign investors to stave off blackouts at a time when the shadow of energy imbalance looms over the coming summer.
“Although ensuring stable electricity supply this summer may still face challenges, the collective effort to build and commission thousands of megawatts of clean power plants promises a brighter future, because this project is not just a technical project; it is a ‘project of empathy’,” he added.