Iran’s Thermal Power Plants Holding Company said it has plans to phase out power plants with low efficiency (20%), and two ageing power stations in Tehran, namely Tarasht and Rey, could be the first to go, head of the company said.
“The plan is to first build a new power plant next to the old unit and shut it down gradually,” ILNA quoted Mohsen Tarztalab as saying.
Referring to the Rey Power Plant’s low efficiency, he said the facility is operating for more than four decades. The estimated useful life of an electricity plant is around 20 years.
“Permits have been issued for the construction of a new power station with 60% efficiency near Rey,” in south Tehran, he noted.
Construction of another power station would be near the Tarasht plant.
Rey Power Station has 23 units generating 810 MW a year. Tarasht Power Plant is 60 years old and its nominal capacity 65 MW.
Energy efficiency of a conventional thermal power station, considered salable energy produced as a percent of the heating value of the fuel consumed, is typically 33% to 48%.
Considering the heat produced by gas and steam turbines, their efficiency is limited and governed by the laws of thermodynamics. Combined-cycle systems, however, have higher levels.
Under Energy Ministry rules, new power plant units must have efficiency rates of at least 58%.
Tarztalab warned that if rehabilitating the ageing plants is delayed further maintenance costs will become prohibitive for the highly subsidized and apparently loss-making energy sector.
Iran's long-term plans to boost electricity output from the current 84,000 MW to 120,000 MW cannot be realized unless new power plants come on stream, he stressed.
More than 80% of electricity output comes from thermal plants that use fossil fuels.
Over two-thirds of Iran’s thermal power plants are owned and operated by private firms and generate almost 67% of the domestic thermal power.
With installed capacity of 67 gigawatts, Iran ranks ninth in terms of thermal power capacity in the world.
Pointing to TPPHC's role in meeting power demand, Tarztalab said at least 85% of Iran's electricity needs are met by thermal power plants.
Within two years 20 power stations will come on line and add 10,000 MW to national output.
Private companies will contribute $1.2 billion to the project and the government’s share will be $500 million, he noted.
