Iran has initiated the construction of an additional four nuclear power plants in the southern region, aiming for a collective output of 5,000 megawatts, as reported by IRNA on Thursday.
The nation’s goal is to generate 20,000 megawatts of nuclear energy by 2041.
Currently, Iran operates a single nuclear facility, a 1,000-megawatt power station activated in 2011 with Russian assistance, and is in the process of establishing a 300-megawatt facility in the oil-abundant Khuzestan province adjacent to Iraq‘s western frontier.
The International Atomic Energy Agency noted last year an acceleration in Iran’s production of uranium close to weapons-grade levels.
According to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Iran has recently heightened its production of highly enriched uranium, deviating from a slowdown in enrichment to 60% purity earlier in mid-2023, just a step away from the 90% considered weapon-grade.
Mohammad Eslami, leader of Iran’s nuclear agency, was cited by IRNA stating the completion of the new facilities could take around nine years.
These plants are under construction in Sirik, a coastal town on Iran’s eastern shoreline, located approximately 1,150 kilometers south of Tehran.
Nasser Shariflou, who oversees the project, informed IRNA that the endeavor is estimated to cost about $20 billion and will generate 4,000 employment opportunities, with each facility requiring 35 tons of nuclear fuel annually.
