TEHRAN – Iran’s renewable power capacity is approaching 3.0 gigawatts (GW) and is forecast to reach 7.0 GW by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (late March 2026), according to a senior official from the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA).

Jafar Mohammadnejad Sigaroudi, SATBA’s deputy for investment, said the government has raised its target for new renewable capacity under the Seventh National Development Plan from 12,000 MW to 30,000 MW, following President Masoud Pezeshkian’s directive.

He acknowledged some experts doubt the feasibility of the goal, as the country’s total renewable capacity before the plan was only about 1,200–3,000 MW.

He noted that renewables already supply nearly 30 percent of global power and are expected to reach 45 percent by 2028. Iran’s renewable fleet has grown from 1.5 GW to nearly 3.0 GW, and weekly campaigns are adding around 100 MW, lifting capacity to 2,216 MW.

Sigaroudi said rapid deployment of solar and wind power is the most effective short-term way to reduce electricity deficits. He projected that by the end of the seventh plan, at least 12 GW of new renewable capacity will be operational.

He highlighted reforms to encourage investors, including the launch of the Green Energy Board on the Iran Energy Exchange, where electricity has sold for over 70,000 rials per kWh compared with the 27,000 rials fixed tariff under Article 61.

He added that investors can also benefit from Article 12 of the Law on Removing Barriers to Competitive Production, which allows repayment through saved fuel costs, with coordination from the Oil Ministry.

The National Development Fund has also entered the sector for the first time, financing up to 80 percent of projects totaling 7,000 MW, providing bankable guarantees similar to international models.

Sigaroudi underlined the need for efficient energy management, given Iran’s 11 GW hydropower and more than 80 GW fossil-fuel plants. He also stressed that demand-side reforms in industry, agriculture, and commerce are essential, as renewables alone cannot eliminate imbalances.

He added that a new Organization for Energy Optimization and Management has been established under presidential order to consolidate efficiency mandates, with SATBA prepared to cooperate closely.

EF/MA