Iran 98% self-sufficient in manufacturing power industry equipment

TEHRAN,Sept.1(MNA) - Iran has attained 98 percent self-sufficiency in manufacturing power industry equipment, according to a recent report released by the Energy Ministry. Iran will become self-sufficient in manufacturing equipment and goods which are used in the power industry by the end of the current calendar year, which ends on March 19, 2013, Deputy Energy Minister Mohammad Behzad said in May. He added that Iran is currently in the 15th place in terms of the electricity generation capacity. The official noted that one hundred percent of urban areas as well as all villages with over 10 families are currently supplied with electricity. Iran’s power electricity generation capacity has been increased by 4 gigawatts (GW) since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 20) compared to the same period last year, Behzad said on Tuesday. The national power generation capacity currently stands at 65.2 GW, he told the Mehr News Agency. Iran will roll out 12 new power projects by the end of the sixth calendar month of Shahrivar (September 21), which will boost the national electricity generation capacity by around 2000 megawatts (MW). Behzad noted that over 17.4 trillion rials (some $1.4 billion) has been invested in the projects. The Energy Ministry plans to increase the electricity generation capacity by 5 gigawatts (GW) this calendar year, which began on March 20, Behzad said on April 3. He added that over 10 gigawatts (GW) should be added to the generation capacity of hydroelectric and thermal power plants by August 2013. By the end of the Fifth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (March 2016), Iran will boost its electricity generation capacity by 25GW to reach 73GW, Energy Minister Majid Namjou said on February 7. Iran currently trades power with Turkey, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq.