President launches 250 MW solar initiatives, vows gov’t support to remove barriers
Iran inaugurated and began construction of a total of 700 megawatts (MW) in solar power projects across the country on Saturday, in a virtual ceremony attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian, as part of efforts to expand renewable energy and address power shortages.
The event marked the inauguration of 250 MW of new solar capacity and the executive operation of an additional 450 MW, president.ir reported.
Pezeshkian stressed the need to accelerate the construction of solar power plants, pledging government support to remove any barriers slowing down renewable projects and to facilitate private-sector participation.
"The government is fully prepared to eliminate any obstacles to speeding up solar plant construction, addressing the country’s power imbalance, and enabling private-sector activity in this field," Pezeshkian said.
"Avoiding power shortages next summer is a top government priority. All existing solar power contracts could be completed and commissioned within a year."
He added that developing solar plants will not only help resolve electricity shortages but also make a significant contribution to environmental protection by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Pezeshkian also highlighted the particular importance of building solar facilities along Iran’s southern coasts, noting their role in supporting large-scale desalination projects and regional development around the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
At the meeting, Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said that with Saturday’s inaugurations, the country’s total renewable power generation capacity has reached 2,550 MW — enough to supply electricity to about 145,000 households.
“Of this capacity, more than 2,030 MW comes from solar power, around 370 MW from wind, 100 MW from small-scale hydropower, and 372 MW from expansion turbines and biomass and biogas plants.”
Aliabadi noted that Iran is now commissioning roughly 100 MW of solar power each week, marking steady progress in its clean energy expansion.
Under Iran’s Seventh Development Plan, the country is mandated to build 12,000 MW of renewable power plants. The capacity stood at 1,036 MW at the start of the plan and has now grown to 2,550 MW. The government aims to raise that figure to 13,100 MW by 2028.