Over 2,000 industrial parts used in Ramin Power Plant in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, have been manufactured and repaired during the current Iranian year’s first nine months (March 21-Dec. 20), managing director of the plant said.
“As Iranian experts and engineers manufacture and repair various parts and equipment, the plant seeks to become self-sufficient in indigenizing all the required power plant parts. The initiative has also helped reduced costs,” Khalil Mohammadi also told the Energy Ministry’s news portal Paven.
Ejector shafts, cooling tower gearbox shafts and chlorination pump shafts are among the equipment manufactured for the plant in the southwest.
Located 20 km northeast of Ahvaz on the bank of Karoun River, Ramin Power Plant is a thermal power station with six gas units and a capacity of 1,850 megawatts.
As the import of spare parts and equipment is limited due to the US economic siege, indigenization has become a top priority in key sectors.
The US imposed tough economic sanctions (a literal economic blockade) after unilaterally withdrawing from the landmark Iran nuclear deal in May 2018. The sanctions, particularly on the energy, banking, insurance and shipping sectors, have barred international companies from trading with Iran.
Many thermal power plants in Iran have long outlived their usefulness. Power stations built more than half a century ago are still in service largely due to the government’s inability to replace them due to the US economic war and difficult economic conditions.
Local companies attempt to manufacture components used in power plants that are approved by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran.
In addition to upholding national standards, parts are also sent to international institutions for tests and verification.
Thermal plants account for 80% of total power output (84 gigawatts) in the country of 84 million people. Eighty thermal power stations with over 65,000 MW capacity are operational.
