Iran's Ambitious Solar Farm Plans to Boost Renewable Energy

• Iran is making significant strides in renewable energy with the allocation of land for solar farms and plans to launch specialized solar parks. The government's investment packages aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote green electricity supply contracts.

Iran has allocated 2,178 hectares of national land for the construction of solar farms, according to the Head of Iran Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organization (ISIPO), Farshad Moghimi. The ISIPO is prioritizing the development of solar power plants and aims to launch two specialized solar parks by February 2024. In December 2023, Iranian renewable power plants generated 125 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, saving natural gas consumption, water usage, and preventing the emission of 70,000 tons of greenhouse gases. The capacity of Iran's renewable power plants currently stands at 1,085 MW, with plans to add 5,400 MW over the next Iranian calendar year.

The Iranian government has implemented new investment packages and strategies to attract capital for renewable projects, leading to increased investment in the sector. The construction of renewable power plants is expected to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and address the country's fuel and electricity imbalance. The government has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Iran National Innovation Fund to provide facilities for small-scale renewable energy projects. The aim is to grant facilities for green electricity supply contracts, industrial self-supply power plants, and renewable power plants in industrial and specialized solar towns over the next five years.

What measures has Iran taken to attract investment for renewable projects and reduce reliance on fossil fuels?

• The Iranian government has allocated 2,178 hectares of national land specifically for the construction of solar farms, demonstrating its commitment to renewable energy development.
• The Iran Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organization (ISIPO) is prioritizing the development of solar power plants and has set a target to launch two specialized solar parks by February 2024.
• In December 2023, Iranian renewable power plants generated 125 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, resulting in significant savings in natural gas consumption, water usage, and the prevention of 70,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Iran currently has a renewable power plant capacity of 1,085 MW, and there are plans to add an additional 5,400 MW over the next Iranian calendar year, indicating a strong commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure.
• The Iranian government has implemented new investment packages and strategies to attract capital for renewable projects, leading to increased investment in the sector. This demonstrates the government's recognition of the importance of renewable energy in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the Iranian government and the Iran National Innovation Fund to provide facilities for small-scale renewable energy projects. This initiative aims to support the development of green electricity supply contracts, industrial self-supply power plants, and renewable power plants in industrial and specialized solar towns over the next five years.
• These measures highlight Iran's efforts to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sector.