Iran’s Western Province Expanding Solar Power Generation

Iran will open four new solar power plants in the Western Province of Hamedan that will supply 28 megawatts of electricity to the local grid.

“28 million euros worth of foreign financing have been invested overall for the construction of these four plants,” Managing Director of Hamadan Power Distribution Company Mohammad Mahdi Shahidi said on Sunday. 

Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri is expected to inaugurate the four solar power plants on Tuesday, bringing the total stations to 10. 

The official added that a combined heat and power (CHP) plant will be inaugurated as well, adding that more than 11 megawatts of cogenerated electricity have been transferred to the provincial grid during the last two years.

Hamadan Power Distribution Company has been encouraging households to use 5KW solar generators which has resulted in the generation of 380 kilowatts of power supplied for home use, according to the official.

He expressed the hope that these generators could create nearly 600 kilowatts of power by the end of the year (March 21).

100% of all rural and urban households in Hamedan Province are connected to the grid.  

Earleir on Friday, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian voiced his country's support for foreign investors who will invest in the country's renewable energy sector.

"We will support investors in the solar and wind plants' projects," Ardakanian said.

The Iranian energy minister reiterated that his country has the needed potentials in renewable energies.

"The government is trying to prevent currency rate fluctuations’ effect related businesspersons," Ardakakian added.

In a relevant development in early January, A host of Slovakian business activists visiting Tehran, in a meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s Energy Commission Hossein Amiri Khamkani, reassured that they are resolute to strengthen cooperation on renewable energies.

Deputy Chairman of Iranian Parliament’s Energy Commission Hossein Amiri Khamkani met with a group of Slovak economic activists on Sunday, during which the two sides called for developing and strengthening of bilateral trade relations and cooperation on renewable energies.

In the meeting, the Slovak economic activists referred to the long-standing friendship between the two countries of Iran and Slovakia, saying "we, as economic activists, will strive to further strengthen the business relationship between the two countries."

Slovak business activists added, "We have good experience in renewable energy and we want to strengthen our cooperation with Iran in that area.”

Amiri Khamkani, in turn, pointed to Iran's economic and trade relations with Slovakia, saying “the Iranian Parliament welcomes developing and strengthening of its relations with Slovakia in various fields”.

Referring to economic relations between the two countries, Amiri Khamkani emphasized the readiness of Iranian Parliament to facilitate trade between the two countries.

The senior lawmaker further stated, “We hope to see an increase in the level of economic relations, especially in the area of renewable energy.”