IRAN’S POWERPLANT CAPACITY TO REACH 39,700 MW BY SEPT: OFFICIAL
Asia Pulse; Jun 28, 2005
BIRJAND, Khorassan prov, June 28 Asia Pulse – Iran’s Deputy Energy
Minister said here Monday that the nominal capacity of nations’
powerplants will reach 39,700 megawatts by the end of the Iranian
month of Shahrivar (September 22).
Mohammad Ahmadian said that since the Islamic Revolution in 1979
about 32,500 megawatts of powerplant capacity has been built. “Of
the sum 17,500 megawatts have come on stream in the past eight years.”
Because of growing electricity demand it is estimated that the
consumption will double in the next decade and therefore “we are
obliged to expedite our plans to raise the capacity of electricity
production, laying of transfer lines, and distribution network.”
Ahmadian also Managing Director of Power Production, Transmission
and Distribution Company (TAVANIR) said here in June that Iran’s
electricity import from neighboring countries is 500,000 kw/h more
than its exports.
Ahmadian said that Iran imports 1.2 million kw/h of electricity per
year but exports 700,000 kw/h.
“Iran sells electricity to Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan”, he said,
adding that the country is also engaged in seasonal power swamps with
Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The official said that more than 300 megawatts of electricity is
traded between Iran and Turkmenistan.
“Half of the cost of imported electricity is covered by export of
electrical equipment and related engineering and technical services
to that country.” Ahmadian added that Iran’s electricity production
is expected to increase by 3,000 megawatts in the current Iranian year
(started March 21, 2005).
“Once new projects become operational, the capacity to produce
electricity will rise significantly.” He said electricity consumption
reached a peak of 29,000 megawatts last summer (June 21-September 22).
Iran exports 950 million kw/h of electricity to Armenia and Azerbaijan
annually, he said, adding that the country imports 1.5 million kw/h
of electricity annually from other sources.