Power consumption in Iran is three times higher than the global average, energy consumption deputy at the Iran Power Generation Transmission & Distribution Management Company (Tavanir) said, Tasnim news agency reported on Friday.
Close to 31 million subscribers in residential and industrial sectors consume an estimated 200,000 million kilowatt-hour energy per year, Alireza Ahmadi Yazdi said, without elaboration.
Industrial and residential subscribers utilize nearly two-thirds of electricity in Iran, he noted, adding that households account for approximately 25 million people. "Consumption of other energy resources is also higher among Iranians."
Ahmadi Yazdi also called for judicious energy use, reiterating public sector consumption can be curbed as much as 40 percent by improving efficiency.
Iran generates around 20 percent of its electricity from hydroelectric dams, it could face power shortage this year due to the decline in precipitations as dams are operating with merely 40 percent of overall storage capacity.
Iran’s electricity industry ranks 14th in the world and first in the Middle East in terms of electricity generation with an installed capacity of 72,000 MW.
Earlier this week, Tavanir called for 2,500-3,000 MW cut as energy consumption will exceed 52,000 MW during peak demand in the summer.
Iran has also increased investment in renewables including wind and solar energy in the past two years. Plans call for installation of solar panels in administrative offices as part of measures to promote alternative energy. According to national plans, Iran needs to generate 5,000 MW from renewables by the end of 2015.
