ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran plans to build solar and wind power plants as it faces gas and electricity shortages, state media reported on Friday.
“Considering the imbalance created in the field of electricity and energy in the country, the ministry of defense has entered this domain and, in collaboration with the ministry of energy, has taken responsibility for the production of 2,800 megawatts of solar and wind power plants,” said Afshin Naderi Sharif, deputy minister of industrial research at the ministry of defense, IRNA News Agency reported on Friday.
Natural gas and electricity shortages in the past month have forced the government to impose two-hour daily electricity cuts. The government has also cut off electricity to factories and industrial areas for 14 hours a day.
Naderi Sharif said that the renewable energy project could be completed within four years.
“In the field of constructing small-scale power plants, according to the minister of defense's proposal, the capacities of government buildings, parking lots, schools, and hospitals will be utilized,” he added.
Funding will come from "foreign investment and the private sector,” he said.
The energy shortage has also compelled Iran to extend its suspension of gas exports to neighboring Iraq.
Iran’s parliament speaker in late December called for an urgent investigation into the electricity shortage.
“Considering the imbalance created in the field of electricity and energy in the country, the ministry of defense has entered this domain and, in collaboration with the ministry of energy, has taken responsibility for the production of 2,800 megawatts of solar and wind power plants,” said Afshin Naderi Sharif, deputy minister of industrial research at the ministry of defense, IRNA News Agency reported on Friday.
Natural gas and electricity shortages in the past month have forced the government to impose two-hour daily electricity cuts. The government has also cut off electricity to factories and industrial areas for 14 hours a day.
Naderi Sharif said that the renewable energy project could be completed within four years.
“In the field of constructing small-scale power plants, according to the minister of defense's proposal, the capacities of government buildings, parking lots, schools, and hospitals will be utilized,” he added.
Funding will come from "foreign investment and the private sector,” he said.
The energy shortage has also compelled Iran to extend its suspension of gas exports to neighboring Iraq.
Iran’s parliament speaker in late December called for an urgent investigation into the electricity shortage.
