FNA - Iranian Deputy Energy Minister Seyed Mohammad Sadeqzadeh announced on Tuesday the country's plans to install thousands of small solar power plants in areas which suffer drought.

Installation of 3,000 solar power plants will help the country meet its needs to electricity and will provide 3,000 families with revenues, Sadeqzadeh said, addressing a forum in Tehran on Tuesday.

He added that installation of the small solar power plants has started since two years ago, noting, "2,400 of them have so far been set up in the villages which are facing shortage of water and they are generating power."

Sadeqzadeh said that the small solar power plants in addition to the ones installed earlier will materialize the goal to generate 5,400 MW of electricity from solar power.

Sadeqzadeh had announced in October that the government was open to foreign investors wishing to invest in the production of renewable energies in the Middle Eastern country.

He added that that Iranian energy ministry was ready to attract foreign investors in the country�s renewable sector, noting that the government welcomes foreign investments in the renewable ventures in a bid to increase the clean energy�s share in the country�s energy mix as well as exporting the renewables output.

The scheme could also help to harness renewable energies, including geothermal, solar and wind power for domestic use.