As long as the lion’s share of Khuzestan Province’s electricity needs are met by hydroelectric dams, the region will continue to grapple with power shortage, a deputy energy minister said.
“Electricity generation from hydroelectric systems is subject to changes in water levels in dams, so they cannot be a reliable source when rainfall is subjected to seasonal fluctuations," Homayoun Haeri was also quoted as saying by ISNA.
The oil-rich province is too dependent on hydropower plants and this has caused major problems. As a result, the Energy Ministry plans to raise the number of thermal power stations in the region, he added.
Power production from hydropower plants in Khuzestan is reaching zero, as more hydroelectric power plants are going off the grid because of water shortage in dams.
Karoun 1, Karoun 3, Karoun 4 and Masjed Soleyman power plants were disconnected from the national power grid last month and Karoun 2, Seimareh, Andika and Karkheh power stations stopped generating electricity last week, meaning Iran’s hydroelectric capacity has declined by 5,000 megawatts over the last 30 days.
Haeri said Karkheh and Dez dams in the southwestern province, which overflowed two years ago due to torrential and unprecedented rainfall, are now less than 30% full and have difficulty supplying water not only for drinking but also for power generation.
The decline in precipitation in the current water year (started in September) has worsened the drought facing the country for years, which consequently caused water stress.
Iran is located in an arid and semi-arid region. Close to 150 urban and rural areas were on the verge of water tension last summer, which is projected to cross 210 this year.
The Energy Ministry’s data show that close to 30 million people are struggling with varying degrees of water scarcity and related challenges that have only deteriorated.
According to water authorities, at least 210 cities experienced heightened water tension between June and September, and in more than 7,000 rural districts, potable water is still supplied through tankers.
Referring to Veys Combined-Cycle Power Plant in the province, Haeri said the project is expected to become operational in 2022 to help stabilize power supply in the area.
Located 20 km from Ahvaz-Masjed Soleyman Road, the plant has a capacity of 906 MW and is among the first to use F-class gas turbines.
“Veys Power Station is one of the eight plants using F-class turbines, with a 5,000-MW capacity, to meet the energy needs of industrial, mining and residential units in the region and create jobs,” he said.
The energy and infrastructure conglomerate MAPNA is in charge of the design, construction, equipment supply, site transportation, installation, testing and commissioning of two gas units, each with 307 MW capacity and a steam turbine with a capacity of 292 MW.
On completion, the plant will supply electricity to 150,000 homes in the southern province off the Persian Gulf.
