Globally Iran ranks 14th in access to technical and scientific knowledge for generating renewable energy, but has no impressive role when it comes to producing clean energy, head of the 4th Iran Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (Iran REC 2019) said Monday in Tehran.
“Globally, total renewable energy generation capacity reached 2,351 GW at the end of 2018, around a third of total installed electricity capacity, while Iran's share was barely 290 megawatts,” IRNA quoted Hamid Chitchian as saying.
The capacity to generate electricity from renewables has now reached 850 MW. According to plans, this will rise to 1,000 MW come March 2020.
Iran has great potential and enough resources to expand its renewable sector as its wind and solar resources are among the best in the region. In spite of that, the development of renewables has lagged behind, Chitchian, a former energy minister, said.
“Development of renewable energy will also help other industries such as electric cars, smart grids, micro-networks and distributed power generation.”
The two-day conference was held in Tehran October 14-15 by the Iran Renewable Energy Association.
Iran REC 2019 agenda included opportunities for international cooperation in renewables and renewable energy export to neighboring countries, indigenizing solar and wind power plant equipment, new methods for funding solar and wind power plants, quality and standards of renewable energy equipment, attracting investment in renewable projects. This year’s meeting focused on solar panels, solar inverters and wind turbines.
Signs of Interest
Following the systemic rise in power demand, the need for sustainable energy and helping reduce global warming, the government and policymakers are understandably showing more interest of late in renewables.
Iran meets more than 80% of its electricity demand from thermal power plants that run on highly polluting fossil fuel.
Of the total 81,000 MW capacity, 850 MW comes from renewables -- 44% solar, 40% wind power, 13% small hydroelectric plants, 2% geothermal and 1% biomass.
The government said recently it has planned to raise the share of renewables to 4,000 MW by mid 2021 -- a tall order but doable, experts say, if there is the economic wisdom and political will to join other nations in the fight against climate change and reducing the carbon footprint.
