Rewritten Title: Iran’s Summer Power Strategy: New Tariffs, Crackdown on Waste, and Regional Cooperation
Article:
In a comprehensive briefing on the nation’s electricity strategy, a senior Iranian energy official has outlined a multi-pronged approach to ensure grid stability, promote responsible consumption, and enhance international energy cooperation for the upcoming high-demand season.
Clarification on Tariff Adjustments
The official firmly denied any general “increase” in electricity prices. Instead, he clarified that an annual tariff adjustment occurs once a year, typically in the Iranian month of Ordibehesht, with a follow-up for a segment of consumers in Khordad. He emphasized that this is a single, scheduled correction, with no subsequent rounds planned. Consumers who keep their usage within the designated patterns will receive bills of approximately 65,000 Tomans or less.
Cracking Down on High Consumption and Cryptocurrency Mining
A significant focus of the new strategy is on curbing excessive and unauthorized electricity use. The official identified specific consumers, such as banks, government offices, and roadside shops, as having “unlimited consumption.” A key program involves installing smart meters to monitor and potentially restrict these users, with disconnection following warnings for non-compliance.
A major part of this crackdown targets unauthorized cryptocurrency mining centers. The official highlighted that while permitted mining farms may continue operations, their current power draw is near zero. He estimated that illegal mining operations consume a substantial 2,400 megawatts, often by illegally tapping into public grids to access cheaper tariffs. A proposal for a three-year ban on cryptocurrency mining is under consideration, which would facilitate legal action against these unauthorized operations.
Infrastructure Expansion and Export Ambitions
On the production side, the official reported significant progress. Approximately 2,700 megawatts of new thermal and industrial power plants have been constructed, with projections to reach 4,000 megawatts by next summer. This expansion includes 300 megawatts from renewable sources. Furthermore, under a government mandate, industries are tasked with establishing 10,000 megawatts of capacity by year’s end, with current progress standing at 36%.
International cooperation is also being strengthened. The official detailed a mutually beneficial energy relationship with Turkmenistan, which includes not only electricity imports but also the export of Iranian engineering services and high-quality transformers. Agreements are in place to further develop this bilateral electricity trade. Additionally, Iran is moving forward with turbine exports to several interested countries.
Ensuring Fuel Supply and Consumption Management
Concluding on a confident note, the official stated that fuel reserves for power plants are at a robust 93%, assuring that with continued coordination with the Ministry of Oil, there will be no supply issues in the winter. He noted that consumption growth remains below one percent compared to last year, and demand-side management programs will continue through the summer to successfully reduce non-essential consumption.