Iranian expert: no serious attention give to alternative energy in Iran

By  Trend

Because of the rich oil and gas reserves in Iran, no serious attention has been given to alternative renewable energy sources, Mohammad Reza Sharifi Donchali, Iranian expert on energy issues told Young Journalists Club (YJC), Trend reports.

According to him, this inattention was fully clarified in the 5th Development Plan (2011-2015).

"The alternative renewable energy production had to reach 5,000 megawatts in that program. But with no progress, the program had to be halted," he said.

Sharifi Donchali added that, when comparing the price of electricity produced by alternative renewable energy sources and that of fossil fuels, the latter costs higher.

"In order to correct this, the price of electricity must be readjusted and alternative renewable energy sources should be used," he said.

The expert added that the share of renewable energy in the 6th Development Plan (2016-2021) is 5,000 megawatts.

A positive step has been taken in this direction this year (started March 21, 2018), and the energy volume has reached 1,000 megawatts, he said.

"Using solar panels to provide villages with electricity has proven to be a good method. Not only does it reduce energy losses, but also reduces the cost of installing electricity lines to villages with less than 10 families," he said.

Sharifi Donchali added that infrastructure for producing electricity via solar power should be built. As such, the Iranian Ministry of Energy should create conditions for the flow of necessary investments.