3,500 MW of New Electricity Capacity by Summer 2018

EghtesadOnline: An estimated 3,500 megawatts in new electricity production capacity will be added to the national power grid by the summer of next year, deputy energy minister for planning said on Wednesday.

News ID: ۷۷۸۹۶۸

02 September 2017

"Total electricity production capacity stands at 77,000 MW, of which 64,000 MW are generated in thermal power plants operated by Thermal Power Plants Holding Company," Hamidreza Azimi was also quoted as saying by IRNA.

Pointing to power plants under construction, he noted that 1,500 MW will be added to the grid in the next three months.

Moreover, 3,500 MW will be added to the network by summer 2018, increasing the installed capacity to 81,000 in 2018 before rising to a planned 91,000 MW in 2019, Financial Tribune reported.

"The new capacity is expected to help the ministry avoid periodic outages during the hot summer when demand peaks for cooling homes and businesses," he said, adding that consumption was expected to rise by 3% from last year, but soared by 10.5% so far in the current fiscal year [started March 21].

Pointing to an all-time peak power demand of 55,400 MW registered in July, up from about 53,000 MW in the fiscal 2016-17, Azimi said, "Not only have we been able to handle the peak hours so far, but electricity exchange with neighboring countries has also not stopped."

Energy experts, including Azimi, believe that the country's installed capacity has increased in proportion to the annual economic growth, though it is not adequate to meet the heavy demand.

---- Ongoing Power Ventures

Azimi noted that 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 in southern Tehran.

"Work is underway for Maku Power Plant Project in the eponymous trade zone in West Azarbaijan Province as well as Qeshm 2 and Bandar Abbas power plants in Hormozgan Province and Lamerd in Fars Province," he said.

Commenting on Dehloran 500 MW combined-cycle power plant in Ilam Province, western Iran, Azimi said the initiative will be completed in three years at an estimated cost of $3 million. He did not elaborate on the financiers.

Reportedly, Kahnuj Combined Cycle Power Plant in Kerman Province, Mahshahr Power Plant in Khuzestan Province and Golgohar Combined Cycle Power Plant in the city of Sirjan in Kerman Province added 2,500 MW of electricity to the national power grid in 2016.