The judiciary has closed Tabriz thermal power plant following the revelation that the plant was using mazut—low quality fuel—to generate electricity, which contributed to the metropolis’ pollution woes. Located 16 kilometers southwest of Tabriz, East Azarbaijan Province, the 28-year-old power plant supplied electricity to a large segment of Tabriz as well as other cities in the province, IRNA reported. According to an enactment by Majlis Energy Commission, the power plant is only allowed to use gas to generate electricity. The power plant’s use of mazut, also known as dirty oil, has reportedly had adverse effects on air quality and on the agriculture sector. It has also increased respiratory problems in people. It was designed and constructed by the French company Alstom. Its efficiency is 36.7% and worked 20.6 hours per day in 2013.
