Gas supply to power plants increased by 6% in the first two months of this summer (June 22-Aug. 22) compared with the same period of last year, the head of the National Iranian Gas Company’s Dispatching Department said.
“During the two-month period, when the power stations were to work at full capacity, their gas feedstock increased so that there would be no disruption in electricity generation when the country needed it most,” Mohammad Reza Joulaei was also reported as saying by the Oil Ministry’s news agency Shana.
“The growth in gas supply to power plants occurred in the summer, which is the season for carrying out plans for major repairs and overhaul of refineries, gas transmission lines and gas pressure boosting facilities,” he said.
“The 6% increase in gas supply to the country's power plants in this period is actually a new record for the National Iranian Gas Company, and this is the reason why we did not face any power outage this year.”
Almost 85% of Iran’s electricity (68,000 megawatts) are produced by thermal power stations, most of which run on natural gas.
The National Iranian Gas Company produces upwards of 950 million cubic meters a day, which is mostly used to meet domestic demand.
Supplying gas to power plants, instead of liquefied fuels such as diesel and mazut, has not only helped with the sustainable electricity supply but also curbed air pollution.
Air pollution has posed a challenge in the country for years, as some power stations still burn diesel and mazut for power production. However, the government has started substituting liquefied fuels with natural gas in power plants.
Iran has abundant natural gas deposits and it is more cost-effective to use gas for power generation instead of liquid fuels.
NIGC has substantially raised gas production, especially from the giant South Pars Gas Field in the Persian Gulf to meet the growing needs of power plants.
