Jahangiri: We Face 11,000 Megawatts of Power Shortage
Officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran have stated that Iran faces an 11,000 megawatt power shortage. This shortage is expected to be addressed through shutting down large industries and reducing the operating hours of government offices to decrease the duration of residential power cuts.
According to Ishaq Jahangiri, First Vice President of the Republic, Iran currently faces an 11,000 megawatt power shortage. In recent days, power cuts in Iran have sparked considerable protests.
On Wednesday, July 7, Jahangiri stated that Iran needs 64,000 megawatts of electricity for its own consumption, while the country’s current production stands at approximately 53,000 megawatts.
According to the First Vice President, electricity consumption at industrial centers and government offices is expected to decrease so that the hours of residential power cuts can be reduced.
Jahangiri also, referring to decreased rainfall and drought, said: “Out of 12,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power generation capacity, we can only use two to three thousand megawatts to avoid facing a drinking water shortage.”
Rouhani: It Cannot Be Done Without Capital
Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s President, attributed the power generation shortage to the inability to invest. He said in a cabinet session: “Nothing can be done without capital and with empty hands. Why cannot the necessary capital be brought to the country? This must be explained to the people.”
He, who is in the final weeks of his administration, added: “Some problems are domestic; for example, the government submitted bills to parliament regarding FATF and they were approved and the Guardian Council cooperated, and something else we didn’t expect got stuck.”
Hassan Rouhani, referring to the fact that 38 percent of oil sales revenue should go to the National Development Fund, said: “That money is given to investors to invest in various sectors; when the fund has no money, there is no possibility of investment and various projects are not executed.”
Based on government officials’ statements, the major portion of the power shortage is expected to be addressed through shutting down large industries, which could have negative impacts on manufacturing industries.
Meanwhile, officials at Iran’s Ministry of Power say that Iran’s electricity exports have nearly reached zero and Iran is importing electricity from some neighboring countries.
Mostafa Rajabi, spokesperson for Iran’s electricity industry, told ISNA news agency that electricity imports from Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan have increased to 650 megawatts, while only about 50 megawatts are exported to Afghanistan.
Requests from citizens to reduce electricity consumption have so far been ineffective. Power cuts in Iran’s hot summer have triggered citizens’ reactions. According to reports published on social media, protest gatherings have been held in various cities.
Also, based on images published on social media, during the recent nights coinciding with evening power cuts, protesters chanted slogans against Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
Source: DW
