TEHRAN – Iran’s renewable power plants generated 178 million kilowatt-hours (Kwh) of electricity in the third month of the current Iranian calendar year (May 22-June 21), IRNA reported.

The production of electricity from renewable energies during the said month saved on natural gas consumption of 51 million cubic meters while saving 39 million liters of water and also avoided the emission of 115,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

Iranian households and small businesses have welcomed renewables in recent years, so according to data from the Energy Ministry, at the end of the second month of the current calendar year (May 21), more than 5,180 wind and solar units with a total capacity of 69,820 kilowatts have been put into service by consumers across the country.

The capacity of Iran’s renewable power plants currently exceeds 920 megawatts (MW), of which solar plants with a generation of 429.79 MW in the same month had the largest share of power generation.

Wind power plants with 308.74 MW of electricity production were in second place.

Renewable energy, including hydropower, accounts for about seven percent of the country’s total energy production, compared to 90 percent for natural gas.

Overall, over the next four years, Iran is targeting a 5,000 MW increase in its renewable capacity to meet growing domestic demand and expand its presence in the regional electricity market.

According to the Iranian Organization for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (known as SATBA), the number of small solar power plants across the country that are used by households or small industries is increasing significantly as households Iranians and small industries are embracing the new technology with open arms and investors also seem keen to contribute more in this area.

Iran also plans to expand its presence in the region’s renewable energy market.

According to the Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian, the country has great potential in the field of renewable energies and can play an important role in the development of the regional market for these energies.

“Relying on the strong potential of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, etc., the Ministry of Energy has planned good measures to implement new policies to create changes positive in developing the country’s renewable energy sector, ”Ardakanian said.

In December 2020, SATBA chief Mohammad Satakin said the capacity of the country’s renewable power plants would reach 1,000 MW (one gigawatt) by the end of the current government’s term (August 2021).

EF / MA