The 5th (online) Iran Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (Iran REC 2020) will be held virtually on December 16.
Iran Renewable Energy Association is organizing the event in collaboration with the Energy Ministry and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization, the Energy Ministry news portal Paven reported.
The virtual gathering will review challenges Iran is facing in developing renewables and offer solutions to improve the business environment in the key industry as the nation fights hostile US economic sanctions and the colossal problems created by Covid-19.
The United States slapped tough economic sanctions after Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned the landmark Iran nuclear deal in May 2018. The sanctions, particularly on the energy, banking, insurance and shipping sectors, bar US companies from trade with Iran. Foreign firms are not spared.
As it became difficult in recent years to import equipment to grow the clean energy industry due to the US sanctions domestic companies have started indigenizing equipment used in solar, wind and hydroelectric power plants. Progress has been good but visibly not enough.
However, spread of the coronavirus has slowed renewable projects the government and private enterprise have undertaken to cut energy consumption, CO2 emissions and do their fair share in protecting the environment. More than half a million people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Iran so far and the death toll has surpassed 29,000.
Iran REC has been annually held since 2016. This year’s edition also will explore opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy electricity export to neighboring countries, indigenizing more solar and wind power plant equipment, financing solar and wind power plants, improving quality and standards of renewable energy equipment and efficient policymaking and investment.
For the online exhibit, 3D pavilions are designed where participants will be able to present their products or services via videos, photos and catalogs. Also in the virtual expo, visitors will be able to interact with the conferees.
Winners of the 2nd Iran Renewable Energy Award will be introduced during the session. The award is the first national award to introduce and honor the work of experts in the advancement and development of renewable energy.
The award is presented in six categories including: renewable energy projects, equipment manufacturing company, government and public organization, EPC company, outstanding renewable energy scientist and electricity power distribution.
Iran has enough potential and resources to expand its renewable industry as its wind and solar resources are among the best in the region. In spite of that, the development of renewables has lagged behind apparently due to easy access to and cheap availability of fossil fuels.
More than 80% of the country’s electricity demand comes from thermal power plants that run on fossil fuels and renewable capacity is 900 megawatts.
However, following the systemic rise in power demand, the need for sustainable energy and help reduce global warming, the government in Tehran and stakeholders are showing belated interest in renewables, and there are plans to increase renewable share to 5,000 MW by 2025.
