In conversation with Yavar Anani, «CEO of Mapna Renewable Energy Company»

In the 1990s and 2000s, discussions about environmental issues among some managers and even in society at that time were completely dismissed as unnecessary and «sentimental» topics.

At that time, influenced by the economic changes, the development of the country was considered the main priority, and it was a common view that for rapid progress and development, it was sometimes possible to use natural resources and the environment without limitations.

However, the page of time turned faster than expected. In the early 2010s, with the onset of phenomena such as dust storms that mainly affected the western borders to the midlands of the country, inversion and excessive air pollution in major cities, as well as the drying processes of some important rivers and the Urmia and Bakhtagan lakes, it became clear what consequences those policies had for the future of the country.

«Yavar Anani», CEO of Mapna Renewable Energy Company, in response to the question of whether previous attitudes among managers have changed, explains that this change has not been entirely binary. According to him, sustainable development is currently presented as one of the main goals of the country, and in this regard, the environment has been given more serious attention. For example, discussions on energy efficiency and renewable energies in the country have made significant progress. Additionally, actions to reduce pollutants and restore water resources have also been put on the agenda, but sustainable development is costly, and if preventive measures in the field of the environment are not taken, it may impose greater costs on the country in the future to address the created problems.

What follows is the result of a detailed conversation with Dr. Yavar Anani, CEO of Mapna Renewable Energy Company, which has been recorded as a historical narrative:

A Look at the Costs of Sustainable Development

Any development that does not consider environmental consequences is not only a temporary advancement but also leaves destructive effects in the future.

This is the first lesson that Iranian technocrats have learned from the experiences of the 1990s and 2000s.

As we know and see, the country's perspective on environmental issues has changed from the 1990s to today. It can now be said that the country is moving towards efficiency and optimal use of energy resources. For example, in the field of gas wells, the use of gas flares and the restoration of watersheds 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 restoration of a lake, we may need to incur multiple costs in the future to remedy the pain caused by the absence of that lake.

Although if we have a preventive outlook, costs will be lower. However, if we want to treat it, as we have been seeking this solution so far, some issues may be untreatable, and costs will significantly increase.

It seems that the path has been modified, but there is still much work to be done to operationally advance in the energy sector.

Currently, part of the environment is under one organization and another part is under a ministry. This multiplicity of authorities in the field of the environment is a hindrance, and we need a sustainable development system. Of course, the needs of the country are different, and this issue drives us towards rushed and unsustainable development.

A Reduction of 200 Grams of Carbon Footprint per Kilowatt

The Mapna Group, as a leading company in the field of environment and energy, is engaged in significant activities. For example, the average carbon footprint of energy production in the national grid is about 600 grams per kilowatt-hour, but Mapna has managed to reduce this number to below 400 grams per kilowatt-hour by using combined cycle models and advanced gas turbines. This means that the amount of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere has decreased, thereby reducing the negative impacts on global warming and climate change. Generally, the carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide produced over the life cycle of a device. To calculate it, the amount of carbon dioxide produced is placed in the numerator and the amount of energy produced in the denominator.

Mapna's Practical Measures to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Mapna 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, Mapna is striving to minimize greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide while also contributing to the preservation of the environment and human health.

The Mapna Group also has significant activities in the field of wind turbines. Mapna has been active in this area for over 14 years and has contracts for the production of wind turbines. For example, the carbon footprint of these turbines is only 20 grams per kilowatt-hour. This amount is significantly lower than the average carbon footprint of the national grid, which is about 600 grams per kilowatt-hour.

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

Iran's 41,000 Megawatt Capacity for Electricity Generation from Wind Energy

Mapna Company has been operating since 1994 with low pollution and low greenhouse gas emissions and has achieved better standards with the developments made. In the field of wind energy, Mapna is in a good position and, considering the country's climate, provides good performance from its wind turbines, but as we know, wind turbines have not yet become widespread in Iran.

In European cities, these turbines are installed in easily accessible locations, and for this reason, they can contribute to energy production. However, we must note that Iran truly has significant potential in the field of wind energy. This potential can help produce clean energy and reduce pollution, ultimately improving the environmental situation of the country.

In the eastern strip of the country, the provinces of Khorasan Razavi, Khorasan Jonubi, and Sistan and Baluchestan have strong winds and high potential for wind energy production. These winds come from Herat, a neighboring country, and indicate the immense capacity of these regions for the installation of wind power plants. Around the city of Khaf, there is a place called «Nashtifan», which is derived from the term “Nish Toofan”. These winds are actually the well-known 120-day winds that continue in Sistan. Interestingly, in this area, there are windmills that seem to date back to pre-Islamic times. The locals have invested in and built these mills to grind their wheat. This indicates a successful model of local development that has gradually formed over time.

The Khaf region is also one of the windy areas of the country and is therefore very suitable for establishing wind farms. In these areas, there are strong and stable winds that can contribute to wind energy production. However, one of the challenges in these areas is their remoteness from the center. The flat lands in these areas can facilitate the installation and operation of turbines. Overall, it is estimated that Iran has a wind energy production capacity of 41,000 megawatts. Of this amount, about 15,000 megawatts are available and can be easily developed.

To achieve this capacity, significant investment is needed. For example, to develop 15,000 megawatts of wind energy, about 15 billion dollars of investment is required. Meanwhile, to reach the capacity of 41,000 megawatts, this figure approaches nearly 40 billion dollars.

The state of the country's electricity network indicates that the current installed capacity is over 90,000 megawatts, but only 366 megawatts of this capacity is related to wind energy, which constitutes less than one percent of the total capacity.

For the sustainable development of this sector, we must gradually proceed and add between one to two thousand megawatts to the country's capacity annually. This requires investment and government support for manufacturers and investors so that they can secure the necessary financing.

Investment: The 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 area. If these challenges are addressed, we can move towards sustainable development and optimal use of wind energy resources.

The technology of wind turbines is complex, and their design and construction require special engineering knowledge. The number of reputable manufacturers in this field is limited, but nonetheless, there are good capacities for development.

To install wind power plants, we must first gather data related to the wind. This is usually done by installing towers that provide the necessary information for decision-making regarding the location of the turbines.

The eastern regions of the country have high potential for wind energy production; however, the concentration of population and industries is in the central and northern regions of the country, which is why we need to think about transferring this energy to the central and populous areas. This transfer can be done using high voltage and DC systems.

Currently, there is the capacity to manufacture wind turbines in the country, and this requires appropriate policymaking. Recently, a tender for the installation of 1,970 megawatts of wind power plants has been held, and investors have acquired a significant portion of this capacity. Now we must see how these projects will come to fruition.

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

If financing does not materialize due to high costs, the existing capacities may go to waste. For sustainable development, necessary investments must be made. On the other hand, currently, our country is facing a gas shortage, and the development of gas fields is costly. Additionally, combined cycle and thermal power plants require water, and given the shortage of water resources, this is challenging.

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

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

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