The construction of Ghadir Energy Combined Cycle Power Plant started in Lamerd Country, Fars Province.
With a generation capacity of 913 megawatts, the gas-fired power station is estimated to be completed in three years, ISNA reported.
Established on 80 hectares, the plant is an undertaking of Ghadir Electricity and Energy Investment Company, a subsidiary of Ghadir Investment Company.
The gas section of the plant is expected to come on stream in 18 months, following which the steam sector will become operational.
The plant aims to ensure stable power supply to South Aluminum Corporation, as one of the largest aluminum manufacturers of Iran, and also to cement, magnesium, petrochemical and steel industries in Lamerd Special Economic Zone.
The whole project includes the construction of a powerhouse, switch yard, a substation, water cooling units, access roads and related facilities as well as the installation of generators and transformers, and the laying of transmission lines and gas pipeline.
The project, estimated to cost more than $500 million, will meet growing demand for electricity consumption in the country, reduce fuel use and preserve the environment by emitting less pollution
The project, estimated to cost more than $500 million, will meet growing demand for electricity consumption in the country, reduce fuel use and preserve the environment by emitting less pollution.
Since the early 1980s, the production and supply of electricity are one of the sectors in which the participation of private sector has been facilitated.
Established in 2011, Ghadir Investment Company is one of the private firms active in the field of electricity production and supply.
GEIC is essentially an investor in the power generation industry, which undertakes the construction of combined cycle power plants, power generation from renewable energies and small-scale generators, as well as energy conduits (gas swap, electrical power exports and investment in constructing gas pipelines and power transmission lines) and water treatment and desalination facilities.
Small-Scale Solar Stations
To help increase the power generation capacity in the region, three small-scale power plants with a distributed generation system and a total capacity of 20 megawatts recently came on stream in Fars Province, bringing the number of such stations to 28, with a total production capacity of 160 MW.
Distributed generation refers to electricity produced in small quantities near the point of use, as alternative or supplement to traditional centralized grid-connected power. It reduces the cost and complexity associated with transmission and distribution, while offsetting peak electricity demand and stabilizing the local grid.
Two large solar farms with a total capacity of 631 megawatts are also under construction in Abadeh and Bavanat counties by Iranian experts and engineers.
The two photovoltaic stations are expected to be completed in two years at a cost of $691 million.
Being Iran’s largest solar power stations, the two farms will provide about 6,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction process. In addition, when operational, they will help supply power to households and industries in the region.
More than 1.7 million solar panels will be used in the two projects. About 30% of the panels and inverters will be imported from European countries and the rest will be manufactured by domestic companies.
Chehrak Plain in Bavanat County will host one of the farms with a 431-MW capacity. Bavanat is 231 km north of the provincial capital Shiraz and has a suitable capacity for generating renewable energy, especially solar.
The other farm is located in Abadeh County, 276 km north of Shiraz. It will have a production capacity of 200 MW.
So far, 16 solar stations have been built with a total electricity generation capacity of 66.7 MW. Rooftop photovoltaic stations are also operating with a capacity of 72.4 MW.
Renewable energy capacity in the southern Fars Province is over 84 MW. Other than solar farms, there are 1 wind power station, 2 hydropower plants, one biomass plant and 331 small PV stations (rooftop solar panels) in Fars.
