Iran's Energy Minister: Iran to generate 2,100 MW of renewable energy

Feb 22 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - A.Yusifzade Trend News Agency, Baku, Azerbaijan

Iran plans to generate renewable energy over the next three years with capacity totaling 2,100 megawatts (MW) to meet its energy demand, IRNA reported quoting Iran's Energy Minister Majid Namjoo as saying.

According to Namjoo, all necessary measures have been taken to produce electricity using wind energy, water, biomass and geothermal.

"The Iranian government has paved the way for private sector's participation in developing renewable energy systems," Namjoo said.

Earlier Iranian Deputy Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said Iran already has 8,500 MW hydro power plants in operation and has installed 130 MW of wind turbines.

"Iran, though an oil exporting country, is determined to be an important partner in global efforts of human societies to achieve sustainable energy systems," Aliabadi said.

The private sector has already signed contracts to install wind turbines as well as biomass systems with capacity of 600 MW and the ministry of energy is implementing 500 MW wind converters in the country, he said without naming any company, Reuters reported.