Tasnim � An Iranian energy official highlighted a rapid growth in the number of renewable energy plants across the country, saying more and more capital is being funneled into the industry.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Mohammad Sadeqzadeh, director of Iran�s Renewable Energy and Electrical Energy Efficiency Organization, a subsidiary of the Energy Ministry, said people and the private sector have made huge investment in the renewable energy industry in recent years.

Even the �cruel sanctions� could not slow down the growth of the renewable energy industry in Iran, he said, adding that local investment has now outstripped foreign investment in this sector.

�At present, one large-scale renewable energy plant and tens of small-scale ones are coming into operation every week,� Sadeqzadeh went on to say.

Iran is seeking 5,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2020, with more than 4,000 megawatts expected to come from wind power. The country has approximately 141 megawatts of installed wind power.