Industry ministry targets 50% solar supply for industrial parks
Iran’s industry ministry plans to supply 50% of electricity for its industrial parks from solar energy, Reza Ansari, CEO of Iran’s Industrial Towns Company said on Monday, highlighting efforts to secure stable power for the country’s industrial sector.
Ansari, who doubles as deputy minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, said that one of the main challenges facing Iranian industry is ensuring reliable electricity. During the summer, some industrial parks experienced power outages up to three days per week, leading to roughly a 10% increase in production costs, which was ultimately passed on to consumers, he said.
Ansari noted that while the Ministry of Energy is legally responsible for electricity provision, the Ministry of Industry has actively supported the initiative.
“To date, more than 1,200 megawatts of solar energy have been installed within industrial parks and on the rooftops of industrial units, of which 120 megawatts are currently operational. The goal is to expand solar power capacity to 2,000 megawatts in the coming years,” Ansari said.
He explained that, at peak consumption of around 4,000 megawatts, half of the electricity used by industrial parks will eventually be supplied by solar energy, enhancing grid stability and preventing losses caused by power outages.
As recently confirmed by the Supreme Energy Council, the share of government offices in renewable power supply has increased from 20% to 40%,
Under the Seventh National Development Plan, Iran aims to add 12,000 MW of new renewable capacity over five years, with President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration having set a more ambitious goal of 30,000 MW within four years.