Veep says gov’t backs capacity enhancement of renewable power plants
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref expressed on Monday the government’s support for a rise in the production of electricity from renewable power plants across the country via cooperation between the private and public sectors.
Aref made the statement in a meeting with members of Economy Council in Tehran as he underlined the need for the preparation of a comprehensive plan aimed at increasing the national power generation capacity.
“A good action has been taken to generate more than 3,000 megawatts of electricity from renewable power plants,” the first vice president said.
“The government supports increasing the capacity of renewable power plants. Good and valuable measures have been taken in this regard, and now the public and private sectors are fully prepared to increase electricity generation capacity from renewable power plants. However, a comprehensive plan is also needed so that we do not have a power deficit next summer.”
According to a report presented at the Monday meeting of Economy Council, a total of 3,165 megawatts of renewable power plant capacity have been established up until December 1st, and 528 sites with a capacity of 7,850 megawatts are under construction.
Such issues as the method of financing for increasing the capacity of renewable power plants were also discussed at the meeting.
445 MW of solar power plants come online
Aref’s announcement coincided with the commissioning of 445 MW of solar power plants and the executive operations of 177 MW of new projects in more than 90 regions across the country via video link with the presence of Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi.
As reported by IRNA, with the power plant projects inaugurated on Monday, Iran's renewable power plant capacity exceeded 3,100 megawatts of renewables, which is unprecedented in the history of the country's solar energy development.
The construction of every 100 megawatts of solar power plants annually saves 56 million cubic meters of natural gas, prevents the emission of 138 thousand tons of CO₂, and saves 44 thousand cubic meters of water.
Monday’s major inauguration is regarded as an important step in strengthening the national power grid stability, reducing shortages, and moving towards a green and sustainable future.