Iran eyes cooperation with Slovakia in renewable energy sector
By Aynur Karimova
Iran, which sits on huge oil and gas reserves, is interested in developing the alternative energy and has recently focused on fostering this field.
The Islamic Republic has expressed interest in cooperation with Slovakia in the renewable energy sector.
Bahman Salehi, the CEO of the Iranian Sanir Company, said that his company is willing to engage in cooperation with Slovakia to carry out projects in the field of renewable energy.
He further added that Sanir, the Islamic Republic's water management service and equipment company, also intends to apply the Slovak technology to export goods and services to regional countries, IRNA news agency reported on March 29.
Salehi's statement comes in the wake of Slovak Economy Minister Vazil Hudak’s visit to Iran in early March, during which the sides considered cooperation in renewable energy, nuclear energy, car manufacturing, telecommunication, waste management, and in other sectors.
During his visit, Hudak also paid a visit to the Sanir Company and explored venues of cooperation with this Iranian company.
Slovakia meets 40 percent of its energy demand from renewable sources. The country is expected to become the rotating chair of the EU in the coming months.
The Sanir Company has so far carried out 200 projects in the region, East Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The company is currently carrying out 17 projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Oman, Iraq, Ethiopia, the Iraqi Kurdistan, Sri Lanka, and Armenia.
In Iran, renewable energy makes up less than one percent of energy used in the country. Being the world's 14th biggest owner of solar power plants, Iran's renewable energy potential is huge. Only the wind capacity of the country is estimated by experts at 30,000 megawatts.
Officials expect to meet 10 percent of Iran’s electricity needs by solar and wind power plants by 2022. They also say that the country's solar and wind power plants will generate 12,000 megawatts of electricity annually.
Currently, Iran is cooperating with the foreign companies to develop the renewable energy sector. It trades power with Turkey, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq.
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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova
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