Steel, Cement Factories Allowed Midnight Shifts
EghtesadOnline: Iran Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission Company (locally known as Tavanir) said steel and cement factories can operate from 12:00 midnight to 8:00 am and cut their electricity consumption by half.
The decision came after calls from the Iran Steel Producers Association to ease power restrictions imposed by the major utility, ISNA reported.
Following chronic power shortages last month and rolling blackouts across the country, Tavanir ordered steel and cement production factories to reduce electricity consumption by 10% or face total blackout.
"The measure is in line with plans to alleviate the worsening power shortages. Steel and cement companies should close for 2-3 weeks and use the time for repair and maintenance," Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, Tavanir's spokesman was quoted then by Fars News Agency as saying.
The abrupt ban on the two key sectors created shortages of steel and cement in local markets and prices increased overnight creating new problems for most construction sectors.
Summer demand has led to severe power and water shortages in recent weeks in most regions resulting in blackouts and dry taps. Protests have been reported in some southern provinces where the mercury has risen above 50 C.