President Masoud Pezeshkian held a meeting with directors of Iran’s steel industry on energy shortages which he said have left adverse effect on industries. The president emphasized that the use of clean energy is the main solution to address the existing shortages while consumption should be reduced as well.

“One of the main challenges we face is the sustainable supply of fuel for industries. We should find ways as soon as possible in order to resolve this crisis and also reach a reliable point,” Pezeshkian said at the meeting held in Tehran on Wednesday evening.

He said while the main focus should be put on using clean energy, the consumption pattern must be rectified as well in order to reduce the existing imbalances between resources and consumption.

“The first step is to correct the pattern and the amount of energy consumption across the country, but the main view should focus on complete use of clean energy,” he said,

In line with that policy, Pezeshkian added, his administration has planned to generate 30,000 MW of electricity using renewable energy sources by next year.

He blamed wrong policy-makings in the past for the present problems, but stressed that his administration is determined to fulfill its commitments in order to realize the goals it has set.

The administration has already begun to oblige its affiliated bodies to install solar panels to supply the electricity they need, Pezeshkian said, adding that the obligation is part of the administration’s efforts to correct energy consumption and use clean energy.

The president referred to water shortage across the country as well, calling it the most important national problem that is partly blamed on establishment of industries in the areas already facing limited water resources.

This has put extra pressure on the national water supply network, he said, adding that any industrial development project should be planned after taking into consideration water resources and environmental requirements in order to prevent the deepening of the crisis.

The president called on industrial companies to play their part in solving the country’s challenges including energy imbalances.