Iran's Power Industry Leading in Middle East

EghtesadOnline: Iranian companies’ capabilities in manufacturing parts and equipment for the thermal power industry have encouraged many countries to want to benefit from Iran’s experience, Deputy Energy Minister Homayoun Haeri said on the sidelines of the 19th Iran International Electricity Exhibition in Tehran on Thursday.

News ID: ۷۴۸۸۳۷

02 November 2019

Over 460 local firms and representatives from 36 European and Asian electric companies and equipment makers are attending with new technologies, the Energy Ministry news service Paven reported.

With installed power generation capacity at 82,000 megawatts, Iran's electricity industry is 14th in the world in terms of output. It is present in 40 international markets as exporter of goods and services under engineering, procurement and construction contracts.

Self-Reliance

Also speaking at the event, Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian said the country is self-reliant in power generation and is the top producer and exporter of electricity in the Middle East and plays a central role as power supplier in the strategic region, Financial Tribune reported.

“Almost 90% of power generation equipment, including turbines and generators, are made inside the country,” he noted, adding that Iran sells and buys power to and from countries with which it has land borders.

Emphasizing cooperation of the government and private firms, he said that the collaboration is essential for the development of the expanding electricity industry.

He pointed to power consumption in summer, which reached a record high of 57,680 megawatts, about 1,000 MW more than last summer, but despite the rise there were no blackouts in any region even during peak hours.

Last year it was suggested that Iran would need 8,000 MW of extra electricity this summer. Accordingly, 5,000 MW was to be added by setting up new gas and steam units and power plants. The goal was realized by the start of summer.

Moreover, programs were undertaken to help reduce consumption by 3,000 MW so that no part of the country would face power outages in the hot summer. With the implementation of the programs, consumption dropped by 3,875 MW.

Improving Efficiency

Improving efficiency of power plants was another issue discussed by the managing director of Iran's Thermal Power Plants Holding Company at the annual event.

“Increasing efficiency of thermal power plants is an important issue that should always be of concern to those who make decisions for this industry, because increasing efficiency will have environmental benefits and generate revenue for the power plants,” Paven quoted Mohsen Tarztalab as saying.

Energy efficiency of a conventional thermal power station, considered salable energy produced as a percent of the heating value of the fuel consumed, is typically 33% to 48%. Considering all the heat produced by gas and steam turbines, their efficiency is limited and governed by the laws of thermodynamics.

Average efficiency of domestic power plants is said to be around 38.5% at the moment.

Production of thermal plants falls by 7% for every 10 degrees rise in temperature and special cooling systems can be of great help.

Cooling the plants costs nearly $50 per kilowatt, which is reasonable compared to the huge amount of money needed for building a new power plant.

Thermal power stations account for 80% of total power generation in Iran and enhancing their efficiency regularly is imperative.