The second mobile power plant will be synchronized with the national grid soon to help prevent power disruption in Saravan city in Sistan-Baluchestan Province, managing director of the Provincial Electricity Company said.
"The 25-megawatt portable trailer-mounted mobile turbine can help stabilize power supply in the southeastern region," Alireza Parandeh Motlaq was quoted as saying by the Energy Ministry news portal.
Thermal Power Plant Holding company, a subsidiary of the Energy Ministry, launched the mobile power plan three months ago projected to cost $13 million, he said.
“Power transformers are being installed in different locations,” he said, adding that the unit runs on both natural gas and diesel.
Referring to the first portable turbine that was installed in July 2019 and cost $10 million, he said both units (constructed by Mapna) have 35% efficiency.
Power plants in Sistan-Baluchestan generate 1,100 MW while the province requires at least 1,500 MW to get rid of the nuisance of frequent power outages that have harmed industries taking a toll on electrical equipment and reducing efficiency.
Electricity consumption in the southeastern province reached a peak of 1,500 MW last week.
Power consumption surpassed 57,500 megawatts in Iran on Tuesday -- 2,350 MW higher compared to the same day last year
Referring to ongoing projects, the official said three power stations are under construction in Zahedan, Chabahar and Iranshahr with total power generation capacity of 1,300 MW.
Sistan-Baluchestan is an underdeveloped region and needs investment for developing its energy infrastructure. It is hoped that improved energy infrastructure will underpin sustainable growth in the region.
Mobile power units are space conscious and operate on different fuel sources (natural gas and diesel) and can be transported anywhere by land, air, or sea for rapid deployment. When installed, the turbine starts producing power in 25 minutes.
Thermal Power Plant Holding signed an agreement with Mapna in 2015 based that calls on the latter to build 10 mobile power plants for TPPH. So far five of have been manufactured and installed in Tehran, Mazandaran and Sistan-Baluchestan provinces.
“Commissioning mobile power units is a viable alternative to help meet peak-hour demand,” Motlaq said.
A mobile turbine produce significantly less emissions, making it suitable for environmentally conscious customers and developed markets with stringent regulatory controls.
Mapna is a conglomerate of Iranian companies involved in development and execution of thermal and renewable power, oil and gas, railroad transport and other industrial projects plus manufacturing equipment.
The company started designing mobile land-based power stations in 2014 in partnership with MECO—an Iranian licensee of Germany’s Siemens AG for producing turbines along with electrical and control systems for generators.
Peak Demand
According to Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, an Energy Ministry spokesman, power consumption surpassed 57,500 megawatts in Iran on Tuesday, about 2,350 MW higher compared to the same day last year.
He said with some small steps consumers can reduce their power bills by adjusting the gas-powered air conditioners temperature on 24 or 25 degrees centigrade, and not using electrical appliances during peak hours (1p.m. and 6p.m.)
“Using natural light during the day and turning off the extra bulbs has a great impact in reducing electricity consumption.”
Regarding hydroelectric power plants, he noted that 55 (hydropower) stations in Iran (mostly near the Persian Gulf coast) are generating 90,000 MW hours per day.
Of the total 55 plants, 16 are in the northern Caspian Sea catchment area, 25 in the Persian Gulf, 13 in the Central Plateau and one in the Lake Urmia catchment area.
In hydropower production Iran is 19th in the world and 6th in Asia. China is first in Asia and the world with 341,000 MW.
Caption: Mobile power units are space conscious and can operate with different fuel sources.
