One nuclear power reactor is operating in Iran, after many years’ construction. Two further large Russian-designed units are planned, the first of which commenced construction in November 2019.

According to the latest data provided by the Energy Ministry, currently, 55 hydroelectric power plants with a total capacity of 12,169 megawatts (MW) are operating across the country. Iran’s current power generation capacity stands at about 81 GW of which the share of hydroelectric power stands at nearly 16 percent.

The energy system of Iran relies primarily on fossil fuels. However, the country has made steps to decrease its dependency on fossil fuels by investing in wind power.

an’s unique geographical position means 90% of the country has enough sun to generate solar power 300 days a year. Iran has an average of 2,200-kilowatt-hour solar radiation per square meter annually. Solar power reached 53 MW in 2005 and 67 MW in 2011.