Iran to boost national energy with 4,000 MW solar power project

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has initiated a project for the construction of solar power plants with a combined capacity of 4,000 megawatts (MW) nationwide.

The inauguration ceremony, held at the Energy Ministry, included Energy Minister Ali-Akbar Mehrabian. The project, to be executed by private investors through four separate contracts, comprises two 1,500 MW deals and two 500 MW deals, leading to the establishment of 95 solar power plants.

Upon completion, expected before late June 2024, the initiative will augment the country’s renewable power plants’ electricity generation capacity from the present 1,119 MW to 5,119 MW, contributing to Iran’s energy needs.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) invited bids for this project in late 2022, with 85 companies selected from 106 applicants.

This move aligns with Iran’s push for increased renewable energy utilization, targeting enhanced sustainability and grid fortification, in contrast to the predominant 90 per cent contribution of natural gas to the country’s total energy generation.