Iran’s power generation surges despite US restrictions

Iran next week will add 1,300 megawatts of new power capacity to its national grid which is under strain from runaway demand driven up by sizzling summer temperatures.

Several power plants will come on line, including in Heris in the northwest, Golgohar in Kerman, Shirvan in the northeast, Parand and Tarasht in Tehran and West Karun in the south, enabling Iran’s power storage capacity to withstand peak demand.

“We are trying to increase the country's electricity production capacity over the next week in order to successfully pass the summer peak,” Managing Director of the Thermal Power Plants Holding Company (TPPHC) Mohsen Tarztalab said.

“According to plans, 1,300 megawatts of new power capacity will be connected to the national grid next week,” he said.

Grid-scale energy storage is essential because power is generally consumed at the instant of generation. Hence, total electricity generating capacity must be far higher than average consumption to cater for peak demand.

According to Iran Grid Management Company (IGMC), power consumption on Monday rose by more than 3,000 MW against the similar period last year to 55,977 MW.

Overall storage capacity on the day was reported at 85,000 megawatts, including 5,195 MW in renewable, it said.

Iran’s power exchanges with neighboring countries also stood at 1,501 MW, which included 1,304 MW in Iranian exports.  

Much of Iran’s electricity exports go to Iraq. The Arab country imports nearly 1,200 MW of power from Iran. It also imports gas from Iran to produce another 2,800 MW, Iraq's Electricity Minister Luay al-Khateeb said in May.

EA