Iran’s 130 thermal power stations generated an estimated 332 billion kilowatt-hours of power in 2022, up 3% compared to a year ago, said a deputy manager at Iran's Thermal Power Plants Holding Company.
“Of the total output, steam-powered plants, gas-powered stations and combined-cycle plants generated 83 billion kWh, 69 billion kWh and 181 billion kWh respectively in the nine-month period,” Nasser Eskandari was also quoted as saying by Barq News.
The official said thermal power facilities account for 92% of Iran’s total power demand in summer, but when demand falls, the figure declines to 80%.
“Timely repair and maintenance of thermal facilities will help them work at full capacity in summer,” he added.
Upgrading, repair and maintenance of thermal power plants will add 700 MW to the total output.
“Overhaul starts every year in September and ends in April of the following year. This year, 583 gas and steam units in 130 power plants will be overhauled before the demand peaks in June,” he said.
According to Eskandari, an estimated 359 billion kWh of power were produced in Iran in 2021, of which 91% were generated in thermal power stations.
TPPHC has signed at least 40 contracts with domestic manufacturers to indigenize much-needed parts and equipment in the power sector.
As per the agreement worth $30 million, knowledge-based firms have been tasked with producing a wide range of equipment, including turbine blades, retaining rings, rotors and compressors.
Eskandari noted that all the gas turbine blades, which use high technology and were difficult to import due to the US sanctions, have been fabricated by domestic startups.
Thermal plants account for 90% of total power output (90 gigawatts) in the country of 85 million people.
A problem of thermal power plants in Iran is that many have long outlived their usefulness.
Power plants built more than half a century ago are still in service, largely due to the government’s inability to replace them under the difficult economic conditions.
