An estimated 261 billion kilowatt-hours of power were consumed between March 2021 and January 2022, up 8% or 18 billion kWh compared with the same period of a year ago, the head of Iran Grid Management Company, an Energy Ministry subsidiary, said.
“Close to 290 billion kilowatt-hours of power were produced during the 300-day period, up 5% or 14 billion kWh compared with the same period of a year ago,” Mostafa Rajabi-Mashhadi was also quoted as saying by IRNA.
Of the total output, 90% or 260 billion kWh were produced by thermal (steam, gas and combined-cycle) power stations, he added.
The state-run Iran Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission Company’s output is projected to reach 310 billion kWh by the end of the current Iranian year (March 2022).
According to the official, close to 7 billion kWh were exported to neighboring states, namely Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, during the period.
Under swap deals, Iran also exports electricity to neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan in winter and imports when domestic demand soars in summer.
The agreements are in line with policies to increase power grid sustainability via joint ventures and synchronize the network with neighbors.
Close to 308 billion kWh of electricity were produced in 2019, up 6.1% compared to the previous year.
Based on data from the Statistical Center of Iran, 3 billion kilowatt-hours were exported to Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2019, up 5% compared to 2018.
Power Transmission Lines
According to Kambiz Nazerian, the managing director of Tehran Province Electricity Distribution Company, accidents of power transmission lines caused by technical failure have decreased by 11% since March 2021 year-on-year.
Tehran’s power distribution network extends over 27,000 kilometers, of which 12,000 km are underground low voltage transmission lines and the rest is overhead transmission lines.
An average of 100,000 new customers join the bulging subscription list each year in the province. On average, $12 million are spent annually to expand the power grid and increase output to meet rising demand.
Tehran has 4.5 million subscribers, 76% of which are households.
“The good thing is that 80% of homes remain in line with the average consumption of 300 kilowatt-hour per month,” Nazerian said.
The official said the government has raised electricity tariffs so that “20% of households that use electricity injudiciously rethink their consumption pattern”.
Experts say the experience of developed countries shows that the only solution to compel subscribers to stay away from overconsumption and waste is higher prices.
People understand the problems better when hit in the pocket.
According to the Energy Ministry, higher electricity tariffs for consumers who exceed normal consumption limits took effect last month.
The country's current installed power capacity is said to be around 84,000 megawatts but a lot less is produced due to wastage, water shortage in hydroelectric dams and technical problems.
Speaking about the possibility of power shortages next summer, he said, “Our goal is to have no blackout in the city. There are plans to enhance the efficiency of power plants and encourage households and industries of the crucial need for judicious consumption.”
