BRICS+ Series: Iran's Solar Energy Takeoff
Iran is rapidly emerging as a renewable energy powerhouse, making bold strides in solar energy expansion that signal a transformative shift—not just for the country, but for the broader BRICS+ alliance.
Iran is rapidly emerging as a renewable energy powerhouse, making bold strides in solar energy expansion that signal a transformative shift—not just for the country, but for the broader BRICS+ alliance. In the past Iranian year alone (ending March 2025), Iran added an impressive 600 megawatts (MW) of solar power to its national grid—four times the previous annual average. This surge represents a turning point for both Iran's energy policy and the global South's efforts to build energy resilience and independence.
Government-Led Push with Private Sector Vision
At the heart of this transformation is Iran's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organisation (SATBA), which has launched an ambitious roadmap to install 5,000 MW of renewable capacity. Speaking on state television, SATBA's deputy head, Alireza Parandeh Motlaq, explained that this push is aimed at addressing rising domestic electricity demands, particularly from households and industry. Although these solar plants are initially government-funded, the long-term plan is to hand them over to the private sector—ushering in a new era of green entrepreneurship.
In a parallel move, private investors are showing keen interest, submitting proposals to develop a staggering 38,000 MW in renewable energy capacity. This level of engagement from Iran's private sector highlights a crucial shift: renewable energy is no longer just a state project—it's an economic opportunity.
Smart Policies for a Greener Future
The new energy policy also includes regulatory incentives that reward industrial players for installing on-site renewable sources. Facilities that generate part of their own electricity using solar or other green technologies are now exempt from mandatory power cuts. Households, too, are being brought into the energy revolution. With rooftop solar panels, families can sell surplus electricity back to the government for roughly $0.074 per kilowatt-hour—a smart solution for citizens and the state alike.
Solar Expansion Across Provinces
The momentum is visible on the ground. In a recent milestone, SATBA launched 297 MW of solar projects across five provinces—Golestan, Bushehr, Fars, East Azarbaijan, and Kish Island. The rollout is part of a broader plan to construct 3,000 MW of capacity through modular 3-MW plants spread across 856 sites nationwide. The initial phase, backed by a substantial $96 billion government investment, demonstrates Tehran's commitment to decentralising energy access while strengthening the national grid.
Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi confirmed that a further 500 MW boost is underway under the administration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. He assured the public that all new solar installations are on track and will soon begin feeding into Iran's energy network.
A Strategic Win for BRICS+ Cooperation
This surge in renewable infrastructure is not just a domestic victory—it's a strategic one for BRICS+. Iran's expanding green energy sector dovetails with the bloc's broader agenda to reduce dependence on Western-dominated energy markets and diversify sources of power across the Global South. With climate change intensifying and energy security becoming a critical concern, Iran's success could serve as a blueprint for other BRICS+ nations seeking sustainable growth without sacrificing sovereignty.
Iran's renewable transformation opens new corridors for intra-bloc trade and technological cooperation. With international sanctions limiting Iran's access to Western markets, collaboration with fellow BRICS+ members—especially China, Russia, and India—offers vital alternatives for importing components, financing projects, and sharing innovation.
Iran's pivot to solar power is more than just a domestic policy shift—it is a diplomatic and economic statement. For BRICS+, it's a beacon of what's possible when emerging economies take charge of their energy futures. As the sun shines brighter over Iran's solar fields, the Global South gains a powerful new symbol of self-reliance and shared progress.
Written by:
*Dr Iqbal Survé
Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN
*Chloe Maluleke
Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group
Russian & Middle Eastern Specialist
**The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.
** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE https://bricscg.com/
** Follow @brics_daily on Twitter for daily BRICS+ updates and instagram @brics_daily
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
No Permanent Friends nor Foes in Global Politics
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as they leave after holding a trilateral meeting, which included the French President, as part of the Chinese president's two-day state visit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 6, 2024. The idea of the world changing has become a habit, year-on-year, that statement provides no new information. Nonetheless, this opinion points out that what is happening [with strong support] is that global relationships are changing–old friends have become foes and new friends have been foes. This particular change rings true for the US and elsewhere. It also provides hope for ongoing disagreements, conflicts and war. Looking at tariffs, China has seen some of the highest rates against it by any country, in the form of Trump's Liberation day tariffs. Since 14 May, both the United States and China have agreed to suspend 90% of their Liberation Day tariffs for a period of 90 days and have withdrawn several other retaliatory duties. As a result, tariffs imposed by the US on Chinese goods dropped to 30%, while China will reduce its tariffs on American products to 10%. Although this does not signify a friendship, it does signal a willingness to reconvene on measures through communication. It indicates that the relationship between China and the US were at its worst when the US announced the Liberation Day tariffs (145%) against China. China and the European Union have traditionally maintained stable relations, with minimal conflict over core interests and strong economic and cultural ties. By 2022, China had become the EU's top import source and third-largest export destination, with bilateral trade surpassing €856 billion. European firms like Siemens, Airbus, and BMW are heavily invested in the Chinese market, fostering collaboration in technology and industry. However, mounting political pressure from the United States has disrupted this trajectory, prompting the EU to impose curbs on Chinese tech companies, scrutinise investments, and restrict academic exchanges—moves driven more by external influence than inherent discord. Amid Donald Trump's renewed political presence and his assertive 'America First' stance, the EU is increasingly recognising the value of strategic autonomy, pushing for a more balanced foreign policy and a reimagined, independent engagement with China. BRICS has played a fundamental role in relationship-building, particularly amongst those members of the global south. In fact, the beginning of this year saw Indonesia join as an official member of BRICS and official partners: Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan. These relationships entail economic, social, political, and environmental engagement fostering a commitment to shared development. The grouping is instrumental regarding the strong relationships between–China-Russia, China-South Africa, South Africa-Brazil. The grouping reinforces the autonomy of its members and partners often creating a revived awareness of previous or current relations that are or were exploitative and infringes national autonomy. On the point of relations there exists wars and conflicts that seem very permanent with no resolution in sight. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has seen devastations that killed many. Many countries are attempting to find a solution to the situation, for example, China, the EU, and South Africa. Putin and Trump's relationship appears strained by recent reports, as Trump attempts to have Ukraine & Russia come to a consensus, his efforts have seemingly rendered itself meaningless. The Israel-Palestine conflict is one that has perpetuated for many years since 1948 when Israel became a sovereign state. This conflict puts to task the notion that there are no permanent enemies. It has no real time when it will stop, even with external efforts to alleviate the issues. The US has positioned itself as an ardent supporter of Israel and other nations, like South Africa, are bastions for the cause of the Palestinian people. It is thus unsurprising that the US, under Trump, has accused South Africa of a fictitious 'white genocide' as South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the genocide of the Palestinian people. There are, in fact, very real genocides (at cumulative recorded deaths) in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as examples. The principle that there are no permanent friends or foes in global politics is more visible in today's rapidly shifting geopolitical climate. Relationships once thought stable—like those between the US and the EU—are evolving under pressure, revealing both fragility and potential. While tariff wars and political tensions mark deep rifts, temporary pauses in hostility and renewed dialogue suggest that cooperation remains possible, even after periods of hostility. However, perpetual conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Palestine challenge this notion, raising critical questions about whether some enmities can truly end. Amid this complexity, BRICS and its expanding network offer hope for a more balanced, multipolar world—where nations from the Global South engage on more equal terms, are weary of external pressures, and reaffirm their sovereignty through strategic partnerships. In a world of fickle loyalties and enduring struggles, BRICS stands as a testament to the possibility of resilient and principled international cooperation. Written By: *Cole Jackson Lead Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group Chinese & South American Specialist **The Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of Independent Media or IOL.
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Putin ready to 'help resolve' Iran nuclear stand-off: Kremlin
MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to "help resolve" the standoff between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme, the Kremlin said Thursday. "We have a close partnership with Tehran. And President Putin said that he was ready to use this partnership to help resolve the Iranian nuclear issue," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. After a call between the leaders on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said Putin had offered to "participate" in talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, as Trump accused Iran of "slow-walking" its response to Washington's offer of a deal. Washington and Tehran have held five rounds of talks since April to thrash out a new accord to replace the nuclear deal that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. Trump said Monday that his administration would not allow "any" enrichment of uranium, despite Tehran's insistence that it has the right under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said earlier Wednesday that Washington's proposal was against Tehran's national interest. Russia and Iran have deepened their military ties amid Moscow's military offensive on Ukraine. The Kremlin said earlier this week that Tehran had the "right" to run a peaceful nuclear energy programme.
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Eyewitness News
Iranians' World Cup dream crushed by US travel ban
TEHRAN - A year out from kick-off, Iranian football fans are watching their World Cup dream slip away after a US travel ban barred them from entering the land of "Great Satan" to cheer on their team. The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but most matches, including the final, are scheduled to be played on American soil. Many in Iran had clung to hopes of cheering from the stands until Wednesday when US President Donald Trump rolled out a new travel ban on 12 countries including Iran, which will take effect from Monday. "My friends and I have been waiting for years to watch Team Melli (a nickname for the national team) play in a World Cup on US soil, and when they qualified, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Sohrab Naderi, a real estate agent in Tehran, told AFP. "Now with the new travel ban, that dream is shattered because of politics that we don't care about and have no control over," said the 46-year-old who attended the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which saw the US side defeat Iran 1-0 in the group stage. The prospect of Iran competing in a US-hosted tournament comes against the backdrop of a decades-long enmity, with diplomatic ties broken since the 1979 Islamic revolution. The two sides are currently engaged in high-stakes talks over Iran's nuclear programme, with the United States threatening military action if no deal can be reached. 'DEGRADING TO ALL IRANIANS' Trump said the new travel ban was prompted by a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado that US authorities blamed on a man they said was in the country illegally. The ban will not apply to athletes competing in either the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the order said. Nonetheless, supporters who had dreamed of crossing the Atlantic to cheer on their team will no longer be able to make the trip. "Every Iranian has the right to support their team, just as much as any other country, whether the game is in America or in any other country," said Hasti Teymourpour, a 16-year-old football fan. Since his return to office in January, Trump has reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy of sanctions against Iran and vowed that "something bad" would happen unless the Iranians "move quickly" towards a nuclear deal. Naderi, who called the ban "inhumane" and "degrading to all Iranians", still hopes the Iran-US nuclear talks will yield a deal that might persuade Trump to reconsider. The outcome of the US-Iran talks that began in April remains unclear, and many fans worry that even if they result in a deal, it may be too late for them. Some Iranians have refused to give up hope, however, seeing in the World Cup an opportunity to thaw relations. "Sports diplomacy can act as a strong catalyst and bring the efforts of political diplomats to fruition sooner," said political commentator Mohammad Reza Manafi. It could be "a great opportunity to help advance diplomacy between the two countries". FRIENDLY? In a memorable 1998 World Cup clash, Iranian players handed flowers to their American adversaries and posed together for photos -- a rare public gesture of goodwill between the nations. Iran won 2–1, a victory celebrated in Tehran as a source of both sporting and political pride. With the 2026 draw expected in December, it remains unclear whether Iran and the United States will face off again, but anticipation is building. "The two countries are not hostile to each other, this political discussion is for the governments," said 44-year-old day labourer Siamak Kalantari. Another fan, Mahdieh Olfati, said: "If we face the US again, we'll definitely win." "Ours are real players," the 18-year-old added. Manafi, the commentator, said a friendly before the tournament, possibly hosted by a third country, could help ease tensions. Such a game, he said, could help "achieve what politicians from both sides have not managed to do for years".
