In Conversation with Yaavar Anani, CEO of Moshanir Renewable Energy Company

In the 1370s and 1380s solar years, discussions about environmental issues were largely dismissed as unnecessary and "sentimental" among some managers and even in society at that time.

Back then, influenced by the economic changes that had been created, the country's development was considered the main priority, and the prevailing view was that for rapid progress and development, sometimes natural resources and the environment could be used without limitations.

However, the wheel of time turned faster than expected. In the early 1390s, phenomena such as dust storms, mainly covering the western borders to the central regions of the country, excessive pollution and pollution of the air in major cities, as well as the drying process of some important rivers in the country and also the Urmia and Bakhtegan lakes, became apparent. What consequences these policies have had for the country's future.

"Yaavar Anani," CEO of Moshanir Renewable Energy Company, in response to the question of whether the attitudes of previous managers have changed, explains that this change has not been completely black or white. According to him, sustainable development is now considered one of the country's main goals, and in this regard, the environment has been taken more seriously. For example, the discussion on energy efficiency and renewable energies in the country has made significant progress. Also, measures to reduce pollutants and revive water resources have been put on the agenda, but sustainable development is costly, and if preventive measures in the environmental field are not taken, the country may incur even higher costs in the future to address the problems created.

What follows is the result of a detailed interview with Dr. Yaavar Anani, CEO of Moshanir Renewable Energy Company, which has been compiled as a historical narrative:

A Look at the Costs of Sustainable Development

Any development without considering environmental consequences is not only a temporary progress but also leaves destructive effects in the future.

This is the first lesson that Iranian technocrats have learned from the experiences of the 1370s and 1380s solar years.

As we know and see, the country's approach to environmental issues has changed from the 70s to today. Now it can be said that the country is moving towards efficiency and optimal use of energy resources. For example, in the gas wells sector, the use of gas flares and the revitalization of reservoir basins are important projects underway.

The point is that sustainable development comes with costs. If we want to have sustainable development, we must consider its costs. For example, if we do not pay attention to the revival of a lake, we may need much higher costs in the future to remedy the pain caused by the absence of that lake.

Although if we have a preventive approach, the costs will be lower. But if we aim to cure, as we have been pursuing so far, some issues are not treatable, and the costs increase significantly.

It seems like a corrected path, but there is still much work to be done to move forward operationally in the energy sector.

Currently, part of the environment is in an organization, and another part is in a ministry. This duality in the environmental sector is considered a barrier, and we need a sustainable development system. However, ultimately, the country's needs are different, pushing us towards accelerated and unsustainable development.

Reducing 200 grams of carbon footprint per kilowatt

The Moshanir group is engaged in significant environmental and energy activities as a leading company. For example, the average carbon footprint of energy production in the country's grid is about 600 grams per kilowatt-hour, but Moshanir has managed to reduce this number to below 400 grams per kilowatt-hour using combined cycle models and advanced gas turbines. This means that the amount of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere has decreased, resulting in a reduction in negative impacts on global warming and climate change. Generally, the carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide produced during the life cycle of a production facility. To calculate it, the amount of carbon dioxide produced at the source is divided by the energy produced at the outlet.

Moshanir's Practical Actions to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Moshanir helps reduce pollution by producing high-efficiency turbines and combined cycles. These turbines not only optimize fuel consumption but also produce fewer environmental pollutants such as NOx and SOx. Thus, Moshanir strives to minimize greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and contribute to preserving the environment and human health.

Moshanir is also active in the field of wind turbines. Moshanir has been active in wind power plants for over 14 years and has contracts for wind turbine production. For example, the carbon footprint of these turbines is only 20 grams per kilowatt-hour, significantly less than the country's average carbon footprint of about 600 grams per kilowatt-hour.

This reduction in carbon footprint demonstrates Moshanir's efforts to produce clean energy and reduce pollution.

Iran's 41,000 Megawatts Capacity for Wind Power Generation

Moshanir started its work in 1994 with low pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and has achieved better standards through its developments. Moshanir also has a good position in wind energy, and considering the country's climate, it provides a suitable performance with its wind turbines. However, as we know, wind turbines have not been widespread in Iran.

In European cities, these turbines are installed in easily accessible locations and can help generate energy. However, we must consider that Iran indeed has a considerable capacity in wind energy. This capacity can contribute to clean energy production, reduce pollution, and ultimately help improve the country's environment.

In the eastern strip of the country, provinces such as Khorasan Razavi, South Khorasan, and Sistan and Baluchestan have strong winds and high potential for wind energy production. These winds come from the direction of Herat, the neighboring country, indicating the enormous capacity of these regions for wind power plant installation. Around the city of Khaf, there is a city called "Nashtifan," derived from the word "storm's sting." These winds are actually the famous 120-day winds that continue in Sistan. Interestingly, in this region, there are windmills that seem to have remained from pre-Islamic periods. The locals have invested in them and built these windmills to grind their wheat. This is an example of a successful model in local development that has evolved over time.

The Khaf region is also one of the windy areas in the country and, therefore, very suitable for wind farm development. In these areas, there are strong and stable winds that can help generate wind energy. However, one of the challenges in these areas is their distance from the center. Flat lands in these areas can facilitate the installation and operation of turbines. In general, it is estimated that Iran has the capacity to produce 41,000 megawatts of wind energy. Of this amount, about 15,000 megawatts are available, and we can easily expand it.

To achieve this capacity, significant investment is required. For example, to develop 15,000 megawatts of wind energy, about $15 billion in investment is needed. This figure rises to nearly $40 billion to achieve the 41,000 megawatts capacity. The country's power grid situation shows that the current installed capacity is over 90,000 megawatts, but only 366 megawatts of this capacity are related to wind energy, accounting for less than one percent of the total capacity.

For sustainable development in this area, we must gradually move forward and add between one to two thousand megawatts to the country's capacity annually. This requires investment and government support for manufacturers and investors to provide the necessary financing.

Investment, Achilles' Heel of Renewable Energy Development

The Achilles' heel of the renewable energy situation in the country is the lack of initial capital that needs to be injected into this sector. If these challenges are addressed, we can move towards sustainable development and optimal use of wind energy resources.

Wind turbine technology is complex and requires special engineering knowledge for design and construction. The number of reputable manufacturers in this field is limited, but nevertheless, there are good capacities for development.

To install wind power plants, we must first collect wind-related data. This is usually done by installing towers that provide the necessary information for deciding on turbine placement.

The eastern regions of the country have a high potential for wind energy production; however, the population and industries are concentrated in central and northern regions of the country. Therefore, we must think about transferring this energy to central and densely populated areas. This transfer can be done using high voltage and DC systems.

Currently, the country has the capacity to manufacture wind turbines, and this requires appropriate policymaking. Recently, tenders have been held for the installation of 1970 megawatts of wind power plants, and significant sector investors have acquired a considerable portion of this capacity. Now we need to see how these projects will progress to the implementation stage.

Overall, with the existing capacities and the need for development, we can move towards optimal use of wind energy.

If financial resources are not realized due to high costs, the existing capacities may be lost. Sustainable development requires the necessary investments. On the other hand, our country is currently facing a gas shortage, and developing gas fields is costly. Also, combined cycle and thermal power plants require water, and due to the lack of water resources, this is a challenging issue.

Sustainable development requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. We currently have gas power plants with a lifespan of 40 to 50 years and low efficiency. Therefore, we must move towards renewable energies, especially wind energy. However, the main problem in this area is investment and financial models that need to be properly shaped.

The country's high potential in wind energy is not to be overlooked, and it is hoped that with more focus on this area, both investment and development in this field will increase in the coming years.

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