“Electricity consumption has risen by about 1,200 MW compared to Sunday,” the ministry news portal Paven quoted Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi as saying.
Rise in temperatures has forced people to make full use of air conditioners and coolers.
Recalling that in the past four decades power consumption peak normally increased by 7%, he said: "This summer, with the cooperation of households, industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors, during peak hours peak consumption increased barely 1% compared to last year”.
Last year, according to Financial Tribune, the highest consumption (57,097 MW) was registered on July 11.
National power generation is actually 59,000 MW and network load is projected to surpass 61 GW by the end of summer. The 2,000 MW deficit will have to be compensated by load shedding and outages that will affect industries and households unless consumption declines.
According to weather reports, Iran will have a very hot summer this year. Assessments show that temperature increase by one degree centigrade raises electricity consumption by over 1,300 megawatts.
The systematic rise in consumption during summers compels the government to increase electricity import from neighboring states with which Iran has long-term power import-export agreements.
Hot and Humid Khuzestan
Consumption in Khuzestan Province reached 8,014 MW on July 21, a new record, indicating a 6% hike compared to the same day last year, the managing director of Khuzestan Regional Electric Company said.
According to Iran Meteorological Organization, temperatures in the oil-rich southern province have been hovering around 50°C. The extremely hot and humid weather is forecast to be around until the weekend.
“To maintain network stability at such high temperatures, it is essential for subscribers to reduce consumption during peak hours (from 1 pm to 5 pm and from 8 pm to 11 pm). The other option would be power outages,” Mahmoud Dasht Bozorg was quoted as saying by Paven.
Referring to measures to help the company avoid outages, he said six mega transformers have been installed in Ahvaz and Omidiyeh substations.
Moreover, to stabilize power supply in the oil-rich region nine mobile substations have been synchronized with the national grid and 12 gas-insulated substations (GIS) are operational.
Mobile substations are an ideal solution whenever utilities and industries need interim grid connections and temporary power supplies. Their applications range from power supply during emergencies and outages to moving cargo and integration of distributed or renewable generation.
A GIS plays a key role in reducing power cuts in regions where sandstorms are a near permanent feature. It uses dielectric gas and sulfur hexaflouride at moderate pressure for insulation.
In a GIS, the active parts including transformers and feeders are protected from corrosion emanating from exposure to atmospheric air, moisture, contamination and sand.