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models for the vast country of 80mn people through public-private partnership projects. Nuclear, gas, hydroelectric, solar and wind power have been the most popular choices in recent years.
According to the cited data, since the beginning of this year, Iran’s overall power capacity has increased by 1,005 MW.
During the summer months, the country endured successive power cuts throughout its national grid given massive use of air conditioning units amid temperatures of above 40 degrees Celsius.
The government is under increasing pressure to get as many alternative forms of power generation as possible online, with several projects involving working in conjunction with foreign companies.
During the summer, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian said 27 power plant projects, worth IRR70tn (around €1.5bn), would be inaugurated by the summer of 2019.
Hydroelectric power in Iran has come under increasing scrutiny from environmental campaigners due to the impact on surrounding valleys and farming downstream. Water levels at several dams have fallen by 30% on average with the worst affected being around cities like Tehran.
Meanwhile, Iran currently draws roughly 53 MW of power from solar generation, energy ministry data shows. It is attempting to add 932 MW in the next few years in line with deals signed already.
In a bid to grow the renewables industry in the country, Iran has signed several agreements with European, Asian and African solar panel firms in recent years. The government offers a 13-year tax break for investors in the sector.
In late May, Pars Reys Energy Bahar (PREB), a subsidiary of French energy firm Hanau Energies Group, announced the completion of an 8.5 MW photovoltaic power plant located 130 kilometres outside of Tehran.
The French-Iranian project followed one rolled out by Phelan Energy Group from South Africa . It has built a 10 MW solar plant in the small city of Khusf in Iran’s South Khorasan province.
9.1.12 Defence sector news
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled a new locally designed submarine which the defence ministry said can fire missiles, Mehr News Agency reported on February 17.
The Iranian government has become increasingly strident in its showcasing of new weapons including rockets which can travel more than 2,500 km in recent weeks, to highlight achievements of the Islamic Republic’s 40th year of existence.
Rouhani, who was in the southern province of Hormozgan which borders the Persian Gulf, said the new submarine called Fateh (Conqueror) “will defend our waters” and is the latest addition to the Islamic Republic’s navy.
Iran’s president commented on recent attacks on the country including the February 13 attack on the southern Sistan and Baluchistan province, which saw some 30 Islamic Republic Guards Corps. (IRGC) killed in a bomb attack on a bus.
"We will not bow down to the hegemonic power. We are ready to sacrifice ourselves and spill our blood to protect Iran," he said.
The 600-tonne submarine launched on Sunday is equipped with torpedoes and naval mines and can operate more than 200m below sea level for up to five weeks.
Later on, at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was recorded as saying regarding missile technology “Is
41 IRAN Country Report April 2019 www.intellinews.com