Iran allocates 85,000 hectares for solar power plant construction

Reza Aflatouni, Deputy Minister of Jihad Agriculture and head of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, announced that 85,000 hectares of land have been allocated for the construction of solar power plants. These projects have the potential to generate approximately 70,000 megawatts of electricity.

Aflatouni emphasized the necessity of land-use planning and comprehensive watershed management to prevent the destruction of forest and pasture lands. He noted that for the first time, watershed management activities—including mechanical and biological methods—will be synchronized with dam construction projects in coordination with the Ministry of Energy.

Addressing water management, Aflatouni highlighted that 1,500 out of approximately 1,800 cities in Iran lack wastewater treatment plants, leading to the discharge of untreated sewage. He proposed using this urban wastewater for wood cultivation projects on national lands through private sector participation to generate significant revenue and reduce pressure on groundwater.

Furthermore, Aflatouni called for legal reforms regarding mining and natural resources. He noted that the current share of natural resources from mining government rights is only 6%, despite the legal requirement being 12%, and argued for stronger institutional authority to protect natural areas during mining decision-making processes.