Close to 1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity was generated from alternative energy sources in the last fiscal that ended on March 20.
This volume of clean energy helped reduce emission of 720,000 tons of greenhouse gases and save 240 million liters of water, the Labor News Agency (ILNA) reported.
Currently, 130 plants generate renewable energy. Half are sola units and the rest are powered by wind, water and biomass.
“Of the total output (1 billion kWh), close to 100,000 kWh was generated between February 19 and March 20, 2020,” Mohammad Satkin, managing director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (Satba) said.
He said more plants are under construction. Also there are 2,000 rooftop photovoltaic power stations operating and the same number is being installed in different regions.
An estimated $55 million was invested in 46 renewables’ projects (solar, wind and hydropower plants) in 2020 by the private sector, which helped increase green energy production capacity by 150 megawatts, he said without providing details.
“The current production capacity of renewables is 920 megawatts,” he said, and noted that $102 million is to be allocated to Satba in the current year.
Water shortage and its negative impact on hydroelectric and thermal power generation have made the role of renewables, which produce 70% of their annual output in the summer season without the need for water, more crucial in deciding energy policy and promoting environmentally-friendly industries.
According to Energy Ministry data, wind and solar account for 43% and 39% of the country's renewable production, respectively. Small hydroelectric plants, waste-to-energy complexes and biomass factories constitute 15%, 2% and 1% of the total, respectively.
Private companies have so far invested over $1 billion in the green sector. Due to government funding constraints and financial pressure, private firms are playing a bigger role in the expansion of renewable energy.
