Growth in Power Generation

Power plants across Iran produced 230,000 gigawatt hours of electricity since the beginning of the current fiscal year in March.

Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian says electricity production from hydroelectric power plants since March increased 2.2% compared to same period last year, Mehr News Agency reported. According to the official, the overall electricity supply to the national grid has reached 229,354 GWh.

"Domestic electricity production in the same period has risen to 226,036 GWh up 2.13%," Chitchian said, adding that electricity import shot up 7.35%, reaching 3,318 GWh in the period. Of the country's overall electricity output in the period, more than 213,690 GWh was generated by thermal power stations and approximately 12,346 GWh was produced by hydroelectric power plants, indicating 1.62% and 11.8% increase respectively compared to last year's corresponding period.

According to Sattar Mahmoudi, deputy energy minister, Iran should emerge as an electricity hub and a key player in both power generation and export in the Middle East by 2025.

“Unlike many neighboring states and also some developed countries, Iran has not experienced major blackouts for nearly 14 years thanks to the performance of our national grid,” he said.

According to the official, Iran's electricity industry ranks 14th in the world in terms of output and 19th in terms of consumption.

The country is the largest exporter and importer of electricity in the Middle East and exports power to Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq and Afghanistan. Azerbaijan and Armenia supply electricity to Iran under a swap agreement.

"Over the past 10 years, power plants with a total output capacity of 11,000 megawatts have been built. Moreover, 28 new power plant projects are underway, including in Bandar Abbas, Urmia, Kashan, Qeshm and Assalouyeh," Mahmoudi said. Energy wastage has been curbed by more than 3% nationwide over the past three years and reached 11.3% from 15%.

source: Financial Tribune