The nationwide project to overhaul thermal power plants and improve power output is on track and has registered a work-in-progress rate of 37% since August.
"Government funding to complete the operation is close to $460 million, of which $70 million has been paid to the Energy Ministry," Mohsen Tarztalab, the chief executive of Iran Thermal Power Plants Holding Company said, ISNA reported on Wednesday.
He said domestic firms including Iran Power Plant Repair Company are carrying out the annual maintenance work at the power stations that produce about 12,000 megawatts of power a year.
“Good progress has been made in the power sector and international companies' unwillingness to cooperate with THPCC will not impede operations,” Tarztalab noted.
THPCC oversees dozens of fossil fuel power plants with installed capacity of over 62,000 MW -- the bulk of Iran's electricity demand. It also is in charge of developing 7,000 MW of gas-powered units in Jahrom, Sabalan, Kashan, Urmia, Chabahar and Asalouyeh combined cycle power plants as well as completing Parand Power Plant in south Tehran.
According to Einollah Salehi, IPPRC managing director, two decades ago even the installation of turbine blades was monopolized by foreign companies. Iran is currently self-reliant in the construction of blades and compressors.
"In the past fiscal (ended in March) when import of steam turbine blades was banned by the Energy Ministry, about €15 million was saved in costs," he said.
Salehi said a major part of the overhaul of power plants in Iraq and a part of equipment repairs in Turkey are being carried out by Iranian engineers.
Iran's power consumption on average rises by 8% and production capacity doubles every 10 years.
Workforce needed for the overhaul ought to increase in line with the rise in power consumption and production, he said.
Reducing power wastage in the production, transfer and distribution networks, in addition to enhancing the efficiency of power plants, is a primary goal of the Energy Ministry.
Over 60% of Iran's power is produced by private utility companies, a figure stipulated to reach 80% under the privatization law.
