With abundance of wind, Zabol in Sistan-Baluchestan Province has great potential for producing impressive volumes of electricity with wind turbines, Mahmoud Owkati, chancellor of the University of Zabol was quoted as saying by IRNA.
"Given its geographical proximity, harnessing wind power in the area can help generate 20,000 megawatts of power—close to 1/4 of the installed capacity," he said.
Not only does the wind always blow from a fixed direction, the speed also does not fluctuate frequently. “This helps the turbines harness more kinetic energy.”
The southern city borders Afghanistan and the neighboring could be a good destination for power exports, the faculty member said.
"Such distinct advantages notwithstanding, there is only 1 installed wind turbine in the region and a large part of the province's electricity comes from plants from other provinces," he said, expressing hope that the ongoing projects would receive fresh impetus.
> Energy Assessment
According to Mandana Zanganeh, head of the department for attracting investment in the deprived Sistan-Baluchestan region, the assessment of wind energy potential in the province, including Mil-Nader, has been completed and construction of three 50-MW wind power plants will commence soon.
"Wind speed values have been taken from the Zabol meteorological station based on which models are being prepared to decide the arrangement of the turbines in the farm," she said.
The renewable venture, worth $330 million, will be completed with the help of a foreign firm by mid-2019. She did not say how many turbines would be used in the farm. Name of the foreign company and other details were also not available.
Pointing to three identified regions for the development of renewable energy, Zanganeh said, "Mil-Nader and Ramshar zones are suitable for investment in wind turbines, while Garaqeh is suitable for solar power."
Details of geographical information of the three regions have been sent to the Renewable Energy Organization of Iran for soliciting funds.
“All areas in Sistan-Baluchestan are suitable for producing solar energy, with the northern areas more apt for setting up large wind farms.”
Work is in progress to build a 7-MW floating photovoltaic farm in the southeastern city of Zehak on Chah-Nimeh water reservoirs, she said.
Chah-Nimeh reservoirs are three natural and big cavities in the south of the Sistan Plain 50km from Zabol. Surplus water from Hirmand River flows into the reservoirs through a canal.
The official said the Zehak renewable power project, worth $10 million will be carried out by domestic companies.
The share of renewables in Iran’s power production industry is 650 megawatts.