Solar Accounts For 39% RE Capacity In Iran

• At the end of September 2018, Iran had an installed renewable energy capacity of 650 MW
• Of all the renewable energy technologies, the share of solar was 39% or 254 MW, next to wind's 43%
• Another 424 MW of renewable energy is under construction, and is expected to enter commercial operations by the end of March 2019 taking total installed capacity of the country to beyond 1 GW

Iran's Ministry of Energy Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) said that the country's total installed renewable energy capacity at the end of September 2018 stood at 650 MW. While  wind power makes up the bulk of it with a 43% share, solar follows next with 39% or 254 MW, and small hydropower contributes 15% to the total. All of this renewable capacity has come up in the form of 90 power plants, with another 36 under construction that on completion will represent 424 MW of capacity.

A total of 42,700 people have benefited from this capacity in the form of securing direct and indirect jobs.

Speaking at the 3^rd International Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (Iran REC 2018) held earlier in October 2018, the country's Minister of Energy Dr Ardakanian said by the beginning of summer 2019, Iran will add 500 MW of renewable energy, without sharing any specifics.

He also shared that 2,000 rooftop solar power plants have been in operation in the country. Iran is targeting 5 GW of renewable energy in its energy mix by 2020.

Once the capacity under construction comes online by the end of March 2019, SATBA's public relations and international affairs office head Dr. Doodabinejad said the country would cross 1 GW of renewable energy capacity.

Ongoing sanctions by the United States (US) on Iran has rattled some foreign investors and developers in the country, as per a Reuters report in August 2018 (see 600 MW Iranian PV Project In Jeopardy).