1,640 MW Added to National Power Grid

An estimated 1,800 megawatts in new electricity production capacity is planned to be added to the national power grid by the end of the current fiscal year in March, of which 1,640 MW is already in the grid, said the deputy head of Iran's Thermal Power Plants Holding Company (TPPH) said on Sunday.

"From April to August, gas-powered units in Mahshahr, Behbahan, Samangan and Gol Gohar combined cycle power plants and steam units in Chadormalou and Kahnuj power plants became operational," Hamid Reza Azimi was quoted as saying by IRNA.

According to Azimi, the company has been tasked by the Resistance Economy Headquarters—a top government economic advisory body—to build power plants costing  $8.5 billion and produce 30,000 MW of electricity.

Pointing to other development plans, he said TPPH 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 south of Tehran.

Azimi said work is underway for Maku Power Plant Project in the eponymous trade zone in West Azerbaijan Province as well as Qeshm 2 and Bandar Abbas power plants in Hormozgan Province and Lamerd in Fars Province.

Commenting on the gas-powered unit in Mahshahr power plant, the official added that the unit with a capacity of 162 MW will be synchronized with the national power network in February.

Kahnuj Combined Cycle Power Plant in Kerman Province, Mahshahr Power Plant in Khuzestan Province and Gol Gohar Combined-Cycle Power Plant in the city of Sirjan in Kerman Province have added 2,500 MW of electricity to the national power grid.

Almost 62,000 MW, or 80% of Iran’s 75,000-MW output, is generated from thermal plants that burn fossil fuels. In addition, 12,000 MW comes from hydroelectric plants and 1,000 MW from the sole nuclear power plant in Bushehr.