Closing remarks by the UN Resident Coordinator in I.R. Iran Mr. Stefan Priesner Contact online >>
Closing remarks by the UN Resident Coordinator in I.R. Iran Mr. Stefan Priesner
Renewable Energy Potential
Iran is uniquely positioned to harness its abundant natural resources and transition toward a more sustainable energy future. With over 300 sunny days a year, the country is ideally suited for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) power plants and solar electricitygeneration. According to SATBA''s resource assessments, Iran has the capacity to produce over 20,000 megawatts (MW) of wind energy and 800 MW of biomass energy. These rich solar and wind resources have the potential to reshape the nation''s energy landscape and position Iran as a renewable energy leader in the Middle East. As highlighted in presentations such as Dr. Andrew Blaker''s, the global energy race has been won by solar and wind energy and Iran has a competitive edge in this race for sustainable energy.
However, the transition to renewable energy is about much more than resource potential. It''s about driving economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering a just transition that benefits communities and empowers future generations. As noted in UNDP-Sustainable Energy Hub''s presentations, investing USD 1 million in renewable energy creates nearly three times as many jobs as the same investment in fossil fuels. With approximately 233,000 engineering graduates annually, Iran has the potential to create 450,000 jobs through the development of 10 GW of renewable energy capacity. As the UNDP-Iran presentation explained, these jobs span sectors such as energy systems engineering, solar panel production, wind turbine manufacturing, energy storage analysis, and environmental science.
Let me also look at this from a human development perspective: clean air, equitable access to energy even in the most remote areas of this huge country, and of course positive impact on climate change and environmental degradation – all of these can be effects of a just transition towards renewable energy.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Transition
The SATBA Vision 2031 lays out an ambitious plan to increase Iran''s renewable energy capacity to 30,000 MW by 2030. Achieving this goal will not only diversify Iran''s energy mix but also create green jobs and reduce environmental degradation. To realize this vision, we must address key action points, including policy reform, infrastructure investment, and capacity building.
Discussions emphasized the need for reforming energy subsidies to incentivize renewable investments, and the importance of grid integration technologies like energy storage and smart grids to manage the variability of solar and wind power. Advanced technologies such as pumped storage hydro and battery systems will be crucial for stabilizing the grid and ensuring a reliable energy supply. Iran''s vast potential in pumped hydro exceeds the need when it comes to supporting a fully 100% solar and wind energy -dependent grid.
International cooperation will also be essential in accelerating this transition. By partnering with organizations like UNDP, UNIDO, IRENA, and others, Iran can access the financing, technology, and expertise necessary to scale up its renewable energy projects. Innovative and market-based mechanisms such as thematic bonds, carbon finance, debt swaps, and blended finance offer excellent opportunities to secure the resources needed to meet these ambitious targets.
By inviting and initiating international collaboration and partnerships including with Member States, regional organisations and leading global universities, Iran would be able to better access financing, transfer of technical expertise and knowhow. Iran should also look into sharing learnings and best practices such as the Green Energy Market with other countries.
In closing, I am confident that Iran has all the ingredients to succeed in this energy transition—abundant resources, a strong economic case, and a capable workforce. Now, it is up to all of us—across government, private sector, and international partners—to work together and turn these discussions into meaningful action. By doing so, we can secure a greener, more sustainable, and prosperous future for Iran.
The United Nations is fully committed to supporting Iran on this journey, and we look forward to witnessing the transformative impact of the initiatives we''ve discussed.
Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to continued collaboration as we move toward a brighter, cleaner energy future.
I thank the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs for there good collaboration to organize this meeting, the presenters for your excellent in-person and virtual presentations and all the participants for their engagement to ensure a vibrant interaction.
Disclaimer: The United Nations informs and reminds the public in several countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, about the use of official accounts and the risk of reliance on non-official sources. The UN System in the Islamic Republic of Iran ensures that its job vacancies are reflected only on its official website: iran.un . Therefore, the UN holds no responsibility for any job vacancy/announcement posted on other platforms.
Iran has realized the value of its vast renewable energy potential—but serious international and institutional obstacles threaten to derail Tehran''s green energy plans before they gain momentum.
Iran has set ambitious targets to enhance its renewable energy capacity. aiming to reach 20 GW of total renewable capacity by 2027 and add 10 GW of solar capacity by 2030. By 2031, policymakers have set the goal of50 GW of renewable energy. Iran''s leaders have announced an aim of generating 10 percent of the country''s electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2025, and 30 percent by 2030. Iran''s current renewable energy capacity stand at over 4 GW, roughly half of its goal; of this number, 1 GW comes from solar and wind power, with significant room for growth
Government Initiatives and Investments
The Iraniangovernmenthas promoted the growth of renewable energy through various financial incentives, laws, and regulations. In an effort to promote renewables, it has exempted renewable power plant equipment from customs duties and added a national electricity tax to fund renewable energy projects. Additionally, the government plans to invest $5 billion from the National Development Fund into renewable energy projects, hoping to generate10 GWofrenewableelectricity withinthe next two years.
Iran''s renewable energy efforts could help to significantly reduce its ongoingenergy crisisby reducing the country''s dependence on fossil fuels. By harnessing Iran''s abundant solar and wind resources, the country can enhance its energy security, minimize environmental degradation, and create a more sustainable energy model. These efforts would also ease the pressure on traditional energy systems that leave the country''s consumers beholden to the price of fossil fuels.
The government has taken these steps to address Iran''s annual energy imbalance. Electricity consumption is highest during the summer, when energy-intensive air conditioning strains the grid. In the winter, natural gas is used in heating, constricting the supply available for power plants andexacerbating shortages. To solve its chronic14 GWpower shortfall during peak demand periods, Iranian leaders have passed laws that attract international investment, provide tax breaks for favored industries, and establishfeed-in tariffsthat pay individuals and companies for providing electricity to the grid via the Iranian Renewable Energy Organization(SUNA).
This imbalance is compounded by the country''s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, inefficient extraction practices (such as "flaring" gas produced by oil wells, rather than capturing it), electricity subsidies that enable high consumption rates, and insufficient investment in energy infrastructure. These factors underline the urgent need for a sustainable and diversified energy strategy to ensure a reliablesupply of electricitythat serves Iranian consumers year-round.
Renewable energy, especially solar power, presents a viable solution to Iran''s energy challenges. By capitalizing on its substantial solar resources,Iran''s energyproblems have a workable answer in renewable energy, particularly solar electricity. Iran has a big edge here because many of its regions get up to300 sunshinedays a year. Because of this, the nation is well-suited to use solar energy efficiently, much like other sun-lovingMiddle Easternnations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran can address its current energy shortage and strengthen its energy infrastructure. That is not to say that the Islamic Republic will neglect traditional energy sources. Alongside its investment in green technologies and infrastructure Iran plans to increase its daily gas output by 55 percent over the next five years, with an output goal of over1.2 billioncubic meters per day. These measures signal that policymakers in Tehran seek to strike a balance between improving existing extraction methods and developing therenewable energy sourcesthat will serve the country in the long term.
The most significant obstacle to the growth of renewable energy in Iran is theinternational sanctionsregime,which has significantly impeded the country''s economic development by limiting foreign investment and technology transfer. These restrictions have hindered Tehran''s access to global financial markets,forcingthe Iranian government to rely on stretched national budgets. Sanctions have also made it more difficult for Tehran to acquire loans for renewable projects, export any excess renewable energy it produces, and modernize its energy infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, Iran has made some progress. The country has fostered its domestic renewableenergy industry, investing in local manufacturing, and implementing homegrown financial incentives to overcome sanctions-relatedobstacles.However, prolonged sanctions may continue to hinder its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, adopt sustainable technologies, and improve energy efficiency. Policymakers should carefully consider the impact of sanctions and explore strategies that balance diplomatic objectives with the need for effective and environmentallyfriendly energy solutions.
Iran has made some headway in developing its own renewable energy sector in spite of these obstacles. The nation has started major solar and wind power projects like the 100 MWKerman Solar Plantand theManjil Wind Farm, implemented government incentives like feed-in tariffs, and formed organizations like SATBA to encourage renewable energy. Furthermore, research institutes and universities in Iran are advancing renewable energy technology.
ThePezeshkian Presidency
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