The largest solar farm, with a capacity to produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity, will be constructed in Markazi Province in central Iran, deputy governor for economic affairs said in the provincial capital Arak at the weekend.
“To be built on 2,000 hectares near the city of Saveh, the project will be financed by a UK-based Iranian investor,” Saeed Farrokhi said without providing names.
Equipment and panels needed to produce 100 MW (of the total 1,000 MW capacity) have been imported and the project will commence in the near future.
“It is waiting for the necessary permits to get started”, IRNA reported him as saying.
Iranian policymakers have emphasized the need for expanding renewable energy to increase energy security, reduce dependence on hydrocarbons.
The country enjoys a wide diversity in climate and the arid regions. The central, southern, northwestern and southeastern regions have around 300 sunny days per year and are uniquely suitable for solar energy production.
Renewable energy produced in Iran now is 670 MW and several renewable power plants are under construction in the country, with the capacity to produce 445 MW. Renewable energy has resulted in the direct and indirect employment of 43,600 people and non-governmental investment in the sector has crossed $2.4 billion.
The energy ministry has said it is ready to attract foreign investors in the growing renewable sector in a bid to increase clean energy share in the energy mix as well as for export.
