TEHRAN — A French company which designs and manufactures various types of incinerators converting waste into energy is inclined to invest in Iran.

Masoumeh Ebtekar, the chief of Iran’s Department of Environment (DoE), has undertaken a visit to one of the French waste incineration plants in Paris which is one the oldest plants converting household waste into electricity, the DoE’s director for international affairs and environment protection conventions, Majid Shafi’pour said.

Ebtekar made the visit at one of the French waste incinerators’ designer and manufacturer invitation on the sidelines of the Iranian delegation’s trip to France, Shafi’pour added.

The French plant is capable of producing 75 megawatts of electricity per day in addition to heat enough for suburban areas, he explained.

The plant is operating with the least emissions-intensive manner possible due to its most modern technology, he noted, adding that, regular screening also prove their environmentally friendly operation.

“Such plant sounds like a good option for some areas in our country particularly coastal provinces,” he said stating that, “the [formerly mentioned] company is willing to invest in building similar facilities in Iran at their own costs and get a return on their investment through selling electricity.”

After obtaining environmental assessments setting up such plants in Iran may be an appropriate solution for the waste management in the country, he suggested.

Incineration is not only a way to get rid of waste, it’s also a way of generating energy. Many different types of waste, whether from households, industry or agriculture, can be converted into heat or power.

******* Environmental MoU

Ebtekar and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius signed an agreement on environmental matters namely climate change, global warming, air pollution, and greenhouse emissions.

The agreement signed in the presence of the two countries presidents, Hassan Rouhani and François Hollande in Elysée Palace.

The agreement has been studied months before its final confirmation and is aimed at improving environmental statues.

******* Great opportunities for investment in Iran: Fabius

There are great opportunities in Iran to invest and set up factories, Fabius remarked adding that, Iran has a favorable condition for setting up solar plants and wind farms.

He expressed France readiness for exchanging experience and knowledge and investing in energy efficiency and renewable energies.

He additionally insisted on cooperation on reducing air pollution by meeting euro-5 and euro-6 emission standard and thanked Iran for its significant role in Paris Climate Conference known as COP21.

******* France to develop 25 hectares of land in Iran to produce tomato

There was even a deal to develop 25 hectares of land in Iran to produce 9,000 tons of tomatoes a year.

Iran is facing serious problems regarding tomato production. One of them is the steep prices for its cultivation and low incomes.

Being a water-intensive product is another obstacle. Each hectare of tomato needs some 15,000 cubic meters water.

Furthermore, tomato seeds are pretty costly and some farmers cannot afford buying them, therefore they buy seeds of poor quality which might develop fungus and result in less production.

MQ/MG

******* [Caption]
Ebtekar and Fabius are signing an MoU while Rouhani and Holland are standing right behind them.