Iran facing power shortages this summer

• 1 year, 11 months ago (2022-06-06)
• David Flin

Hydropower 112 Middle East 312

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Water inflow into Iranian dams has decreased by about 21 per cent since March compared with last year. Reports say that the country will face severe power shortages this year.

Mohammad-Reza Bakhtiari, Managing Director of Tehran province Water and Wastewater Company, said that with 179 mm of rain since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21), the reserves of water supply in dams in Tehran province is at 636 million cubic metres, down from 815 million cubic metres from last year.

Iran has been suffering from drought for a decade. This year, officials have been warning of a further decrease in precipitation. As the drought persists, more underground water is exploited for irrigation, depleting natural reservoirs. The drought has also led to a reduction in hydropower generation.

Parviz Mohammadnejad, a member of Parliament’s Energy Committee, said that the country faces a deficit of 14 GW, and that the deficit will lead to regular blackouts during the summer when consumption is at a peak.