Contracts have been signed for the construction of more than 1,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy power stations during the current Iranian calendar year (ends March 20), deputy energy minister said Saturday.
The deals were signed with private firms for construction of solar and wind power plants, of which a few have already been put into effect, Tasnim news agency reported.
According to projections, a further 200 MW of wind power plants will go on stream by yearend, Houshang Falahatian said, also underlining that in the past 35 years only 150 MW of wind power plants were built across the country.
Efforts have been made to expand photovoltaic power plants, whereby the electricity required for public spaces, e.g. schools, offices, mosques, etc., will be generated.
A drastic reduction in household electricity bills, a 50-percent rebate from the ministry of energy and the potential for selling surplus power back to the power grid are the chief benefits of the solar energy panels, the official noted.
Currently, $47 million has been allocated to develop solar energy by making use of solar cells. Households have been called upon by the government to install solar energy systems for their houses in exchange for 50% of the installation cost as ex gratia loans.
While the share of renewable resources in the total energy production currently stands at almost 0.5%, the number is expected to reach 5 percent in the next four years.
