TEHRAN – The head of Iran’s Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Company (Tavanir) said the country has stepped up collaboration with Chinese firms in areas such as smart grids, gas switchgear equipment, energy storage systems and other related technologies, with some production lines already operating inside Iran.
Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, speaking at a joint meeting with representatives of Chinese state and private companies, stressed the need to harness new technologies in renewable energy, electric storage and pumped-storage plants. He called for broader technical cooperation and the transfer of know-how to Iran.
Highlighting Iran’s push to expand solar power, Rajabi Mashhadi said the use of energy storage systems was vital for renewable growth. He added that developing pumped-storage plants would help strengthen the stability of the country’s vast and diverse power grid. The Energy Ministry is actively pursuing this to ensure renewables can grow without creating strains on the grid.
He said Tavanir’s approach in past projects was not only to import technology but also to ensure technical knowledge was transferred into the country. “Cooperation should not be limited to equipment supply,” he noted, urging agreements that accelerate localization of technologies.
Rajabi Mashhadi added that mutual visits by expert teams and operational site inspections would deepen collaboration.
The Chinese side referred to two ongoing contracts with Iran — a 1,500-megawatt project and a $600 million package — and voiced readiness to expand joint work in energy and financing new projects.
The meeting was also attended by Iranian battery and power equipment manufacturers, who discussed technical cooperation and pathways to accelerate technology transfer.
EF/MA