Gov’t approves energy, workers support plan amid wartime squeeze
Iran’s cabinet has approved a package of measures covering energy consumption management, renewable power development and workers support, First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said on Wednesday, citing wartime conditions and the need to maintain critical infrastructure.
“A set of decisions in the areas of energy consumption management, development of renewable power plants and strengthening workers’ livelihoods was approved,” Aref said, describing the outcomes of the cabinet meeting, according to fvpresident.ir.
“These measures have been adopted in light of wartime conditions and the necessity of maintaining the country’s infrastructure stability,” he said, adding that the decisions were also taken “following the illegal aggression by the enemy against the country’s energy infrastructure, with the aim of ensuring service continuity and supporting the public.”
Iran remains in wartime conditions. Tehran and Washington agreed to a temporary ceasefire on April 8 with Pakistan’s mediation after a 40-day war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.
Aref said the cabinet approved a package proposed by the Energy Ministry to manage consumption and secure energy supply, covering multiple aspects of energy management.
Under one measure, “regulations aimed at removing barriers to the construction of renewable power plants, which were valid until March 21, 2026, were extended with amendments to facilitate continued development through supportive measures and streamlined procedures,” he said.
“Developing renewable energy is one of the government’s key policy priorities to enhance supply stability and reduce reliance on limited resources, and this path will be pursued seriously,” Aref added.
Solar power investment posts
2.5-fold rise
Separately, investment in solar power plants has increased 2.5-fold, Deputy Energy Minister and head of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA), Mohsen Tarztalab, said during a visit to a 72-megawatt plant in North Khorasan Province on Wednesday.
Iran invested $1.2 billion in the sector last year, including $800 million allocated from the National Development Fund, according to IRNA.
On Wednesday, lawmaker Nasrollah Pejmanfar said that under a resolution by the Economic Committee, $1.85 billion had been allocated to SATBA to build 7,000 megawatts of renewable capacity. Of that amount, $1 billion has already been disbursed by the National Development Fund, with a further $300 million expected to be paid in the coming days.
Iran’s installed solar capacity has exceeded 4,000 megawatts and is planned to reach 7,000 megawatts by mid-June, contingent on financing and infrastructure. Authorities are also aiming to raise solar generation capacity to 11,000 megawatts by the end of summer, Tarztalab said.
He added that a plan to equip schools with solar systems is underway to promote clean energy use and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, with North Khorasan selected as the first province for implementation. Under the scheme, each school could be fitted with a solar unit of around 5 kilowatts, with the possibility of expanding capacity, while equipment will be provided by SATBA and affiliated contractors.