Iran�s Minister of Energy Reza Ardakanian says electricity generation through a nuclear power plant located on the Persian Gulf coast would triple to reach 3 gigawatts (GW).

Ardakanian said on Sunday that using nuclear power is a major part of his ministry�s plans to diversify energy sources in Iran.

He said two additional 1GW units in Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant are being constructed to help reach the objective.

The minister said, however, that financial issues had slowed the work on the two electricity stations that are operated by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

He said the Energy Ministry still counts on many benefits of using the nuclear power, including its clean environmental nature.

Russia�s Rosatom energy firm has been contributing to the construction of two new nuclear power plants which according to timetable released previously would come on line until 2027.

Iran has expanded its electricity generation capacity in recent years to reach nearly 86 GW. The country relies on gas-fired thermal power plants for a bulk of its energy needs although the government has been speeding up plans to diversify production sources.

Iran has been fully complying with international rules while expanding its nuclear power generation capacity. The efforts has also been in line with a nuclear agreement reached with world powers in 2015 despite the fact that the United States has withdrawn from the deal and imposed sanctions on Tehran.

Iran aims to supply the electricity generated in Bushehr mostly its southern regions where there is a shortage in thermal power production.

 

Source: Press TV