Operations to build a 7-megawatt floating solar farm in the southeastern city of Zehak, Sistan-Baluchestan Province, started on Monday.
Mandana Zanganeh, the head of the provincial department for attracting investment in Sistan-Baluchestan, said the renewable venture, worth €8.5 million ($10.1 million), will be carried out by domestic experts, ISNA reported.
"The floating photovoltaic farm is to be installed on 14 hectares of Chah-Nimeh water reservoirs," she added.
Referring to the critical environmental condition of the underdeveloped province, the official noted that besides generating electricity, such projects can greatly help prevent water evaporation.
Chah-Nimeh reservoirs are three natural and big cavities in the south of Sistan Plain 50 kilometers from Zabol. Surplus water from Hirmand River flows into them through a canal. These reservoirs, with a capacity of 700 million cubic meters, equal roughly one-seventh of Hamoun Wetland.
However, 355 million cubic meters evaporate annually from the reservoirs.
In addition to water retention, floating solar plants provide additional water quality benefits, of particular benefit to potable water infrastructure management.
By shading water, floating solar farms also inhibit the growth of water weeds and bacteria. Such plants, which have become increasingly popular in the world, are used to provide electricity to port cities, islands, large industrial sites, oil and gas installations, as well as for desalinating water.
Such renewable ventures are gaining popularity in the country. The construction operation of Iran’s first floating solar farm in Isfahan Province started in April.
The 1 megawatt floating photovoltaic farm is to be installed on 1.5 hectares of an industrial lake for adding 1.9 million kW/h of electricity to the national power grid annually and saving 38,000 cubic meters of water per year.
--- Prospective Ventures
Zanganeh said, “All areas in Sistan-Baluchestan Province are suitable for producing solar energy, with the northern areas particularly suitable for creating large wind farms."
According to the official, three other regions, namely Mil-Nader, Ramshar and Garaqeh in the province, have been identified for building renewable power farms.
"Zones spanning over 10,000- and 150,000-hectares have been designated for the installation of wind turbines in Mil-Nader and Ramshar regions respectively, while 1,000 hectares in Garaqeh have been designated for solar power production,” she said.
“Identifying the energy zones helps remove some of the bureaucratic baggage and legal constraints to investment, such as allocation of land for the renewable plants."
Zanganeh had earlier said the geographical data of the three regions will be sent to the Renewable Energy Organization of Iran to raise funds through the country’s top state-owned organization for renewable energies.
Around 62,000 megawatts, or 80% of Iran’s 77,000-MW output, are generated from thermal plants that burn fossil fuels. In addition, 12,000 MW come from hydroelectric plants and 1,000 MW from the sole nuclear power plant in Bushehr. Total installed capacity of all types of renewables hardly reaches 250 MW.
With more than 300 sunny days throughout the year, well above the likes of the UK with 150 days of sunlight per year on average and with far less intensity, Iran has huge potential to expand solar energy infrastructure and attract foreign investments.
Mostafa Pour-Dehqan, the deputy governor of Ardakan in the central province of Yazd, said on Monday permits to build 10 small solar power plants with the cooperation of German investors have been issued.
"The joint venture, worth 500 billion rials ($11,900), is the first renewable project in Ardakan, and is slated to add 10 MW of electricity to the national grid," he said.
