Hydropower Dam Opens in Lorestan

A hydroelectric dam in the western Lorestan Province was inaugurated by Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian on Thursday.

Rudbar Hydroelectric Dam in the city of Aligudarz, a mountainous region with abundant rainfall and moderate climate throughout the year, has two power production units, each with 225 megawatts, IRNA reported.

The facility will produce 986 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. Iran's total electricity output reached 282,000 gigawatt-hours in fiscal year 2015-16, according to Energy Ministry data.

"A total of 2.2 trillion rials (almost $578 million) has been spent on Rudbar power station. Nearly 85% of the funds was provided by the Chinese who played a key role in the construction and financing of the power project," Chitchian said, referring to the China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC).

The dam is built on Rudbar River along the Zagros Mountains in Lorestan. Construction began in April 2011.

"This (Rudbar project) is the symbol of collaboration between Iran and China. They are also contributing to the development of Chamshir hydroelectric dam in Kohgiluyeh-Boyer Ahmad Province," he noted.

Mehr News Agency reported in April that China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) was to open a €320 million ($341 million) credit line for Chamshir dam with a production capacity of 130 MW.

Chitchian added that the ministry is keen to completing the Bakhtiari hydropower station west of Lorestan with 750 MW installed capacity. The dam's annual output is estimated at 3,000 gigawatt-hours.

The launch of Rudbar power station is in line with efforts to boost electricity generation from non-fossil fuel sources, including from hydro power, and reduce harmful emissions.

"Iran has the capacity to raise hydroelectric power production to 30,000 MW," Chitchian noted.

Representatives of 195 countries, including Iran, signed a historic agreement in Paris in 2015 to curb global emissions of greenhouse gases and limit the planet’s warming to under 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, by 2100.

Iran has pledged to increase the share of renewables in its power mix to 7,500 MW by 2030.  Installed capacity of thermal power plants amounts to 61,000 MW, or more than 80% of the national power generation capacity. Add to that 12,000 MW of installed hydroelectric capacity and approximately 240 MW from renewables, including wind and solar.