Iran builds first 200-MW generator rotor shaft amid sanctions
Iran has built its first 200-megawatt generator rotor shaft amid sanctions, a deputy head of the Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO) said, describing the component as a strategic part of the power generation industry.
"With the construction of this strategic component, the country's power generation needs will be met through domestic engineering capabilities at the height of sanctions," Asghar Hagqpanah said in an interview with IRIB.
He added that the process of reverse engineering, designing and manufacturing a 200-megawatt rotor shaft was carried out in the country for the first time.
"This component is one of the vital and complex parts of power generators and, following successful tests, is ready to be installed at power plants across the country," he said.
Haqpanah said the 200-megawatt rotor shaft was among the industry's sensitive and critical components and that the United States, Germany, Denmark and Japan had the capability to manufacture it, while sanctions had prevented Iran from obtaining it.
"This achievement is the result of efforts by domestic specialists to overcome technological restrictions and deepen domestic manufacturing of power generation equipment," he said.
A generator rotor shaft is the main rotating shaft inside an electrical generator that supports and turns the rotor.
According to Attar Goudarzi, head of the Esfarayen Steel Complex, the strategic component was reverse-engineered over eight months and manufactured in about six months using domestic capabilities. Meeting the country's power generation needs despite sanctions was a significant achievement, he said.
Iran has faced Western sanctions for decades over its nuclear activities, pressure that has weighed most heavily on its oil and energy sectors.