IRAN IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU
The Islamic Republic of Iran with a population of 70 million is a key political and economic centre of the Middle East. Iran has rich natural resources. It is one of the world’s main oil producers. The country holds large reserves and has many potential reservoirs. Within Iran there are three geographic areas of oil production and one of gas - but geologically most of the country’s vast oil and gas reserves are located along the fold and thrust belt of the Zagros Mountains. Iran also possesses coal and uranium resources.
Iran’s economic potential has improved as a result of the resumption of official export guarantees for business, increased foreign-exchange revenues from oil exports and economic reforms.
Because of the enormous growth in Iran’s population the government faces the challenge of meeting rising electricity and energy demand. Accelerated industrial development, including in the petrochemical, mining, road-building (infrastructure) and energy production sectors, is heightening the need for action. Comprehensive consulting services and technologies are urgently required. Gross domestic product is expanding at a constant rate of over 5% per year. In 2007, GDP is expected to expand by almost 6%.
Iran aims to more than double electricity capacity over the next decade
Electricity consumption has been growing by 7% a year. The fourth Five Year Development Plan (FYDP), in force since 21.03.2005, sets out significant measures for the energy sector in the period from 2005 to 2010. These include raising efficiency in the use of non-renewable energy resources, securing supplies with subsidised gas for industry and local public transport, reducing energy consumption through development, the use of low-energy technologies, and the acquisition and protection of foreign investment, etc. During the period of the fourth FYDP considerable investment, of over 60 billion US dollars, is planned in the energy sector. A series of power stations is also being planned or under construction, in order to improve energy production and distribution.
Iran aims to expand its capacity from 33,000 MW to 96,000 MW within ten years, to support the country’s endeavours to exploit its potential to the full. Until overall completion in 2020 (96,000 MW) the consolidation and investment of the private sector in terms of IPP-Projects has become increasingly urgent because the government cannot defray all costs through state funding.
This expansion programme will concentrate on gas-fuelled hydroelectric power stations. Energy generation from renewable energy sources is minimal in importance in Iran, although there does exist a country-wide plan to use wind energy. Also, with an average of 4.5 kW/m2 of solar radiation, Iran has excellent conditions for exploiting solar energy.
