Accra:Markazi Province Iran’s largest solar power plant, Balman, has achieved a significant milestone by reaching a daily electricity production capacity of 1,800 megawatt-hours. This development follows the successful completion of its capacity expansion, as reported by APA’s bureau in Iran’s Markazi Province.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the Balman Solar Power Plant was initially commissioned five months ago with a capacity of 130 megawatts. It has now expanded to a production capacity of 277 megawatts. Jamshid Rahimi, Director General of the Balman Solar Power Plant, emphasized the plant’s crucial role in mitigating the region’s energy shortage. The project was realized with a $70 million investment from the private sector.
The construction of the plant was completed within a year, with efforts to minimize environmental impacts. The plant utilizes 450,000 solar panels, each with a capacity of 700 watts, imported from China. Rahimi noted these panels are among the most efficient and productive available globally. The electricity produced at the plant significantly contributes to addressing the country’s energy shortfall.
It is important to note that Iran’s electricity infrastructure has suffered considerable damage during the recent conflict, reducing the electricity grid’s capacity by approximately 4,200 megawatts. Additionally, more than 2,000 points of the grid were affected. Iran has been grappling with electricity shortages, particularly impacting the industrial sector, due to factors such as uncontrolled electricity consumption growth, illegal electricity use for cryptocurrency mining, and inadequate investment in the electricity sector.