Iran's Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi inaugurated on Monday a 100 MW solar power plant in Mahallat in Markazi Province as part of the government’s push to enhance use of green energy.Aliabadi stressed that the project saves 160 million cubic meters of gas per year.The energy minister also launched the executive operations for the construction of two solar power plants in Saveh in Markazi Province, which included the 250 MW solar plant at Kaveh Methanol Company and the 550 MW plant at Shahid Hossein Hamedani Petropars Iran Company.The head of Markazi Province Electricity Distribution Company emphasized on the sidelines of the ceremony that to accelerate the construction of renewable power plants, land allocation to applicants will be completed in less than 10 days.He added that 47 meetings of the government’s Renewable Energy Working Group have been held in the province to date to achieve the 5000 MW target. 78,000 megawatts of solar power awaiting investmentAliabadi also highlighted on Monday the attractiveness of national investing in the renewable energy sector, saying 78,000 MW of solar power are awaiting investment, and that operating licenses have been issued for 30,000 MW.“In the past, the country's electricity generation focused on thermal power plants, and renewable power plants have increased from 1,200 MW to 2,300 MW, which is expected to exceed 3,800 MW by the end of this year,” the Iranian energy minister said.Expressing hope that by the end of the current government about 30,000 megawatts of renewable electricity generation will be achieved in Ira, Aliabadi said, “Given the widespread growth in consumption due to technological advancements and changes in people's lifestyles, growth in electricity production is essential.”The energy minister also touched on the country's readiness for difficult conditions, saying, “In every part of the country that was damaged in the 12-day war, electricity and water were also damaged, but the damage to these sectors was overcome in a short time, the most important of which was providing water to the people of northern Tehran in less than 48 hours, and the major damage to the 400 and 230 kV lines has also been repaired.”Aliabadi emphasized that there is no point in the country that is under stress as a result of war damage, and starting on Monday, power plants will be established in 40 sites across 11 provinces of the country.The minister added that in the construction of solar power plants, there is a move towards small and distributed power plants, and next week, a project for electricity generation by the people will be introduced. (ICE TEHERAN)

Fonte notizia: IRAN DAILY