Iran to boost power output by 1.45GW

TEHRAN,May 15(MNA) - Iran will commission nine new power stations by the end of the fifth calendar month of Mordad (August 21), adding 1.45 gigawatts (GW) to the country’s power output, Iran Power Development Company Managing Director Majid Salehi said. Deputy energy minister Mohammad Behzad had said in April that the energy ministry would roll out power projects that would increase Iran’s electricity generation capacity by 5GW this calendar year. He added that over 10GW should be added to the generation capacity of hydroelectric and thermal power plants by August 2013, the last month of President Ahmadinejad’s administration. Iran’s nominal electricity generation capacity stands at 63GW, ranking the country 15th in the world, an official with Iran Power Generation Transmission and Distribution Management Company (TAVANIR) stated. “Iran is the top electricity producer in the Middle East, as well,” Abdorrasoul Pishahang told . By the end of the Fifth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2015), Iran will boost its electricity generation capacity by 25GW to reach 73GW, Energy Minister Majid Namjou said on February 7.