Over 155 million kilowatts of electricity were generated via renewable energy sources in the first month of fall in Iran (Sept. 23-Oct. 22).
If this volume was produced by thermal power plants that consume gas as feedstock, more than 44 million cubic meters of gas would be used, IRNA reported.
The production of power by renewable resources helped prevent the emission of 100,000 tons of greenhouse gases in the one-month period.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is among the major challenges facing nations, big and small, to varying degrees.
Greenhouse gases are capable of trapping the earth's emitted radiation, which otherwise escapes back into space. The primary greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.
Renewable electricity helped the country save 34 million liters of water in the period as well.
Iran's installed power capacity is 84,000 megawatts, of which less than 1,000 MW are derived from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, small-scale hydroelectric and waste-to-energy power plants and biomass factories.
Renewable energy is the least expensive option for improving access to electricity, reducing air pollution and cutting CO2 emissions. It also contributes to sustainable socioeconomic growth, boosting global gross domestic product growth by 1%, employing close to 29 million people and generating a 15% increase in welfare, mainly through health benefits from reduced air pollution, based on a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency.
According to Energy Ministry data, solar and wind account for 48% and 36% of the domestic renewable power production respectively.
Small-scale hydroelectric plants, waste-to-energy plants and biomass factories constitute 13%, 2% and 1% of the total renewable output, respectively.
Renewables can help transform unsustainable production and consumption patterns, protect biodiversity, reverse deforestation and combat land degradation.
Investment by private firms in the sector has surpassed $1.1 billion, mostly in solar power.
