Power loss in distribution networks nationwide decreased to 9.7% in the last fiscal year that ended in March.
According to the Energy Ministry news portal (Paven), replacing ageing equipment, lines, utility posts, cables and electric meters and fighting illegal use (theft) were among measures adopted by utilities to reduce the loss.
Wastage rate has fallen by 5.3% compared to 2013 when it was as high as 15%, the website reported.
Referring to the decline over seven years, Paven said wastage in the grid decreased to 12% in 2014 and the descending order continued to reach 11.7%, 11.2%, 10.7%, 10.4% and 9.7% in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Plans are underway to reduce it to 9% by 2022.
“The 0.7 decline in 2019 (compared to the previous year) helped save us of 500 million cubic meters of natural gas in power stations that prevented the emission of 1 million tons of carbon dioxide.”
Although power loss in Iran is still high (close to 6,000 megawatts per day), it is less than in Brazil, Turkey, Hungary, India and Croatia.
Iran ranks seventh in terms of power wastage in the world. Iraq (50.6%), India (19.4), Pakistan (17.4%), Brazil (15.8), Turkey (14.8), Mexico (13.7%) are the top six.
According to reports, $400 million is required to cut electricity waste to less than 9%, in which case Iran will have the same ranking as Portugal and Spain.
Power wastage in China, the US, France, Italy, England, South Africa and Canada is as low as 5.5%, 5.9%, 6.4%, 6.7%, 8.3%, 8.4% and 8.9% respectively.
Global average power loss is around 8.3%, still a far cry for Iran.
Defective electrical equipment and theft are the two main causes of power loss. Transmission and distribution losses include loss in transmission between sources of supply and points of distribution and distribution to consumers, including pilferage.
Transmission lines help the movement of electricity from one or more power stations to various substations, whereas distribution lines carry electricity from a substation to end consumers.
Electricity is usually sold from large power plants via extensive networks and rugged terrain. Transmission over long distances creates power loss hurting the balance sheets of utilities long struggling to cope with the heavy energy subsidies ordered by the state and the tough US economic sanctions.
