Report: Iran's nuclear chief says Islamic Republic needs more nuclear power plants

Iran says it needs more nuclear power plants

Country's nuclear chief claims more power will fight global warming

TEHRAN, Iran – A report by Iran's official news agency quotes the country's nuclear chief saying the Islamic Republic needs more nuclear power plants, just after it struck a deal regarding its contested nuclear program with world powers.

IRNA quoted Ali Akbar Salehi on Sunday as saying: "We should take required action for building power plants for 20,000 megawatts of electricity."

Salehi said it would help the country reduce its carbon emissions and its consumption of oil. He said building any single 1,000-megawatt power plant annually saves up to eight million barrels of oil and cuts seven million tons of carbon emission.

Iran's only nuclear power plant near Bushehr produces 1,000 megawatts of electricity.

Iran just agreed to freeze part of its nuclear program in return for Western powers easing crippling economic sanctions.