Completed at a cost of $7.2 million, the plant has the capacity to treat 7,333 cubic meters of wastewater per day, the Energy Ministry’s news portal Paven reported.
An undertaking of the private sector, the treatment plant covers a population of 38,000.
“A total of 220 wastewater treatment plants are currently operational across Iran,” Ardakanian said on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, according to Financial Tribune.
The total sewage treatment capacity in the country has reached 11 million cubic meters per day.
“An additional 32 plants are in different stages of construction and will go on stream within the next two years,” he added.
Referring to Iran’s location in an arid region, the minister said, “We need to take advantage of refined wastewater in industrial and agricultural sectors more than before.”
“In addition to meeting part of the water requirements of farming and industrial sectors, treatment plants also help preserve the environment,” he added.
One cubic meter of polluted water contaminates 40 cubic meters of clean water, because of which collecting wastewater is also key to protecting the environment.
In view of dwindling rainfall and rising water consumption, authorities and experts have called for greater attention to collecting, treating and recycling water.
Over 7.5 billion cubic meters of usable water are annually produced in the country, of which 4.3 bcm are wasted, the minister said.
However, less than 25% of wastewater are recycled, which is not acceptable.
64 Power, Water Projects
Ardakanian also inaugurated Dashtabi 400/63 substation in the northwestern Qazvin Province.
Located over an area of 146,000 square meters, the project has cost over $6.2 million.
“The substation plays a major role in providing sustainable electricity in Qazvin,” he said.
“In the past six years, 111,000 km of distribution networks have been set up in the country. The Energy Ministry has launched 64 power and water projects in Qazvin Province, which have registered 60% progress so far, which will be completed at a cost of $77 million.”
The projects include two dams which, upon completion, will help supply freshwater for the over 1.3 million population of the province. The establishment of more wastewater treatment plants is also underway.
A large part of Qazvin is suitable for producing renewables, particularly for setting up large wind farms.
Iran’s largest wind farm, with a power generation capacity of 61.2 megawatts, was launched in Siyahpoosh region of the province last August.
Another wind farm is underway at Kohak Village in Takestan, which will come on stream in the near future.
Iran is taking active steps toward boosting electricity production through renewables.
According to the ministry's experts, the country has acquired the technical know-how and capacity to manufacture almost all the equipment required for utilizing wind power.
Of the total 81,000 megawatt production capacity, only 710 MW go to renewables, of which 45% are generated through wind farms.
“Iran has become an energy hub in the region and can exchange energy with all neighbors,” Ardakanian said.
The country’s power industry ranks 14th in the world in terms of output.
Iran is the largest exporter and importer of electricity in the Middle East and exports power to Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq and Afghanistan, and has power swap deal with Azerbaijan and Armenia.