Iran has opened the first phase of its largest solar power plant as part of a major government programme to expand renewable energy capacity.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian used a video link on Thursday to inaugurate a 120-megawatt (MW) unit of the Aftab Shargh solar farm in Isfahan province.
Iran’s Minister of Industries, Mohammad Atabak, and senior local officials attended a ceremony in Kuhpayeh, in the east of Isfahan province, to mark the opening.
Aftab Shargh (meaning “Sunlight of the East” in Persian) will become Iran’s largest and most technologically advanced solar power plant when it reaches full capacity of 600 MW by March 2027.
The power plant was built by Mobarakeh Steel Company, the largest steel producer in West Asia. According to ISNA news agency, the company invested approximately 305 million euros in the project.
The construction phase created 3,000 jobs for local people. After the launch of the first phase, the facility will employ 70 people permanently.
Isfahan, one of Iran’s most industrialised provinces, is playing a key role in the country’s plan to increase renewable electricity generation by 30,000 MW over the next four years.
Currently, Isfahan has 240 MW of solar farms and plans to expand this by over 470 MW by February.
Local authorities aim for Isfahan to achieve 5,300 MW of solar capacity by 2029, which would be nearly one-third of Iran’s total solar capacity at that time.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
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Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
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