Danish companies ready to finance Iran renewable energy projects: Official

EghtesadOnline: Danish companies are ready to invest $1 billion in developing renewable energy projects in Iran, said the president of the Iran Wind Energy Association (IRWEA).

News ID: ۷۸۰۰۱۷

24 October 2017

Hashem Oraee told Tehran-based English newspaper Iran Daily that giant energy companies including Siemens and Vestas will contribute to implementing wind energy projects in Iran.

According to IRNA, he added that Majlis (Iranian Parliament) has also approved the Danish investment plan, but it is yet to materialize.

The official pointed to the development of renewable energy in the past decade and said by increasing the share of renewables, Denmark currently meets 43 percent of electricity demands from renewable sources.

'The US, China and many European countries plan to cut dependence on fossil fuels,' said Oraee adding that by 2025, all of the electricity will be met from renewable energy sources.

Most countries prefer to establish fewer thermal power plants, the official stated, noting, 'Wind and solar energy are replacing the oil and gas in generating power.'

Referring to the differences of wind energy and solar energy, he said wind energy is usually generated in large-scale wind farms whereas solar panels could produce solar power on every roof-top.

'About 18-20 percent of air pollution come from thermal power plants which use fossil fuels,' said the IRWEA head adding that the figure is close to nil in power generated from renewable energy sources.

Wind energy meets only 150 MW of Iran's total electricity demand, said the official noting that given the country's potentials, the figure is not satisfactory.

He added that based on the Sixth Five-Year Development Plan (2017-22), Iran's installed capacity of renewable-energy generation will amount to 5,000 MW.

'Iran has 10 wind corridor zones with suitable speed of wind in Khorasan Razavi, Sistan-Baluchestan, Qazvin, East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan,' he said.

Iran can generate 50 percent of its electricity from wind and solar energy by enabling its capacities, Oraee noted.

He added that the Iranian government plans to cede renewable energy projects to the private sector and will support Iranian companies in this respect.