BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 9. The potential of electricity production of solar power plants in Kerman province, located in the southeast of Iran, has increased to 144 megawatts, the statement of Iran's Energy Ministry said, Trend reports.
At present, alternative energy power plants with the potential of electricity production of more than 2,275 megawatts are under construction in Kerman province.
The solar power plant with a capacity of 5 megawatts was recently put into operation in the Kuhbanan district of Kerman province. This plant is located in an area of 7.5 ha. The solar power plant was established with a private sector investment of 1.34 trillion rials (about $3.03 million).
Moreover, it is reported that this plant will produce more than 8.166 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. A total of 60 people will be employed at the plant.
The operation of the plant will save 2.82 million cubic meters of natural gas per year, prevent the release of 6,860 tons of pollutants into the environment, and save 2,180 cubic meters of water.
To note, Iran's electricity production potential is 93,455 megawatts. The production potential of Iran's thermal power plants is 76,257 megawatts, the production potential of hydroelectric power plants - 12,144 megawatts, the production potential of retail power plants - 2,485 megawatts, the production potential of renewable power plants - 1,300 megawatts, the production potential of the Bushehr nuclear power plant - 1,020 megawatts, and the production potential of diesel units - 408 megawatts.