A memorandum of understanding, with a focus on energy cooperation, was signed between MAPNA Group and Iran Small Industries and Industrial Parks Organization (ISIPO) on July 10, 2024. The document was signed in a ceremony attended by MAPNA Group President Mohammad Owliya and Director of ISIPO Farshad Moghimi. They  emphasized the importance of providing sustainable electricity to the towns, industrial areas, and special zones managed by ISIPO. The memorandum outlines several solutions for ensuring a stable electricity supply to industrial units. These include leveraging the capacity of MAPNA  Group’s existing power plants, constructing small-scale and solar farms, and designing and implementing a software platform to facilitate an electricity supply and demand market among industries in industrial towns. Additional solutions detailed in the memorandum involve consulting on the construction and operation of renewable power plants, assisting with the completion, startup, and operation of inactive power plant units, conducting energy audits, implementing electricity consumption optimization plans, developing smart microgrids, and establishing a load control center for monitoring and intelligent management of electricity consumption. MAPNA President: MoU focuses on renewabls, energy efficiency, and effective distribution At the signing ceremony, Mohammed Owliya highlighted the practical nature of the document and reiterated MAPNA’s role as an energy producer and problem solver in this sector. He noted MAPNA Group’s experience in setting up distributed generation units and identified fuel guarantees and capital provision as critical conditions for the successful implementation of these initiatives. He also discussed MAPNA Group’s new strategy focused on addressing energy imbalances through renewable energy, energy efficiency, distribution, and transmission, emphasizing the conglomerate’s commitment to further developing these areas. He mentioned the upcoming launch of new renewable products by MAPNA Group and stressed that sustainable energy supply is a key component of the memorandum. Additionally, he highlighted the inclusion of energy efficiency and trade in the MoU, pointing out that monitoring, trading, and exchanging energy within the microgrids of industrial towns are part of the proposed solutions to address energy imbalances. Owliya also identified batteries and energy storage systems as crucial elements for providing sustainable electricity to industries. He noted that the MoU’s practical and experience-based approach focuses on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and effective distribution and transmission. Official: MAPNA Group strategic ally for energy needs For his part, ISIPO Farshad Moghimi expressed his gratitude for the cooperation with MAPNA Group. He noted that while industrial growth plans have primarily focused on technology updates and financing, it is crucial to address the issue of energy supply. Moghimi, who is also Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade, emphasized the necessity of partnering with MAPNA Group as a strategic ally for the energy needs of the industrial sector. He pointed out that investment in the energy sector has not kept pace with energy demand and stressed the importance of utilizing MAPNA Group’s development, research, and technology capacities as a specialized energy production hub. Highlighting the need for a comprehensive energy strategy, Moghimi mentioned the 840-megawatt capacity for distributed generation in industrial towns and the 200-megawatt investment potential in renewable and solar energy. He expressed optimism that the memorandum with MAPNA would ensure mutual benefits for all parties involved. Advisor suggests establishing joint company Mohammad Hassan Motevalizadeh, an advisor to MAPNA Group President, praised the memorandum for fostering integration and coordination between the two organizations, aiming to resolve the medium- and long-term challenges of electricity supply to industrial units. He suggested establishing a joint energy services company between MAPNA Group and ISIPO as a solution for sustainable electricity provision. Mahmoud Reza Haghifam, deputy head of MAPNA’s Power Unit in Transmission and Distribution (T&D), discussed the potential for MAPNA to act as a producer and seller of electricity (gentailer). He highlighted the capacity for implementing bilateral contracts between MAPNA  Group and industrial settlements and advocated for the use of microgrids as a comprehensive solution for sustainable electricity supply to industrial towns. Currently, over 52,000 industrial units operate in 860 towns, industrial zones, and special economic zones across the country, consuming approximately 3,600 megawatts of electricity. MAPNA Group, having the experience of launching 60% of the country’s power plants and owning power plants with an aggregate capacity of 13,000 MW, has the necessary technical and financial resources to provide, produce, and enhance the quality of reliable and stable electricity for these industrial units. MAPNA Group is currently engaged in constructing a 914 MW combined cycle power plant and launching a 600 MW solar power plant in collaboration with Mobarakeh Steel Company.