Iran's Renewable Energy Capacity Surpasses 5,400 MW

سه شنبه, 30 تیر,1405 09:18 ق.ظ
Iran's Renewable Energy Capacity Surpasses 5,400 MW

Iran's Renewable Energy Capacity Surpasses 5,400 MW

The renewable energy capacity of Iran has exceeded 5,400 megawatts (MW), a senior energy official announced, noting that the capacity is projected to pass 7,000 MW by the end of the summer if equipment and foreign currency requirements are met on time.

Tehran (ISNA) - Ja'far Mohammadnejad Sigaroudi, the deputy for investment at the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization of Iran (SATBA), told reporters that despite supply chain constraints for foreign-sourced equipment, the current pipeline of projects utilizing domestically supplied components indicates that total capacity could closely approach 10,000 MW in the near future. He noted that between 1,000 to 1,500 MW of renewable power plants are currently under construction across the country.

The official emphasized that technical and bureaucratic hurdles, such as issuing permits, land allocation, and grid connection, have largely been resolved after central authorities decentralized these processes to provincial governments during the second half of last year. Consequently, the primary remaining challenges delaying progress are financing and foreign currency allocation rather than expert or structural limitations.

Sigaroudi explained that the country's renewable energy development relies heavily on the private sector. To further incentivize private investment, SATBA recently secured approval for a new regulatory mechanism allowing small-scale, subscriber-tier renewable power producers—including residential, commercial, administrative, and agricultural units—to sell their electricity at higher competitive prices on the "Green Board" of the Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX).

Addressing currency allocation issues, the SATBA official stated that the organization has re-evaluated and submitted a $600 million backlog of foreign currency requests from eligible applicants to the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade. The ministry has pledged to allocate $100 million to $150 million monthly to expedite the import of critical equipment.

To ensure efficiency and prevent price inflation, SATBA, in coordination with the Ministry of Industry, has instituted strict oversight mechanisms. Moving forward, foreign currency will only be allocated to applicants who hold valid permits, submit proforma invoices with standard market pricing, and utilize equipment officially approved by SATBA.