Iran, China step up cooperation in renewables, power storage tech
A senior Iranian energy official said on Thursday that the Islamic Republic has launched close cooperation with Chinese companies in the fields of smart grid technologies, gas-insulated switchgear, energy storage systems and other related technologies, with some production lines already operating inside the country.
Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, CEO of Iran Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Company (Tavanir), told a joint meeting with Chinese state and private firms that, "It is necessary to use modern technologies in renewable energy, electric storage systems and pumped-storage power plants," calling for the expansion of technical cooperation and transfer of up-to-date know-how to Iran, IRNA reported.
Rajabi Mashhadi said Iran was taking serious steps to expand solar energy, adding that the use of storage systems was essential for renewable growth.
Pumped-storage plants would also help stabilize Iran’s vast and diverse electricity grid, he said, noting that the Energy Ministry was explicitly pursuing such projects to ensure renewable development did not cause disruptions.
Technical knowledge transfer
Tavanir has sought in past projects not only to import equipment but also to bring technical expertise into the country. Cooperation with China was expected to go beyond supplying equipment and accelerate localization of technologies, the Tavanir head said.
Reciprocal visits of expert teams and sharing operational experiences would be “an important step in deepening cooperation,” he added.
During the meeting, the Chinese side cited two active contracts with Iran – a 1,500-megawatt project and a $600 million package – and voiced interest in financing and developing new joint projects in the energy sector.
Several Iranian power equipment and battery manufacturers also attended the session to discuss technical knowledge transfer and plan future collaboration.
In January, Tehran and Beijing reached an initial agreement on Chinese investment in Iran’s renewable energy sector, with a Chinese company set to cover 70 percent of the investment.
Last week, China invested $70 million in a 200 MW solar power plant in Iran's Bushehr Province in south of the country.