Tavanir CEO: Wednesday closures can save 40,000 MWh
The head of Iran's Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Company (Tavanir) reported a significant reduction in electricity consumption following the closure on last Wednesday (July 23), stating, "A 40,000 megawatt-hour (MWh) saving in electricity is achievable by closing on Wednesdays."
In a joint meeting with Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi, and senior officials of the country's water and electricity industry held at Tavanir, Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi highlighted the positive impact of the official closure last Wednesday on reducing power consumption in half of the country's provinces, noting, "On that day, an average reduction of about 1,500 megawatts in electricity consumption was recorded, equivalent to one and a half times the output of a nuclear power plant," IRNA reported.
He added that the consumption reduction was not limited to Wednesday alone but continued from the preceding Tuesday with the start of public travel, as well as on Thursday and Friday.
The Tavanir CEO stated that the total saving in hydroelectric power plant generation during these days amounted to about 40,000 MWh, further adding, "This amount of saving will play an important role in managing the grid load, especially at the end of the hot season." Rajabi Mashhadi, referencing global experiences, noted, "In many countries, official holidays are used as a lever to reduce electricity consumption during peak heat and cold periods."
"Single-day closures, if properly planned, can significantly assist the electricity industry and grid stability."
Closures in emergencies are ‘inevitable’
Addressing the meeting, the head of the Administrative and Recruitment Organization stated that closing government agencies has never been the government's first option and that the government opposes the immediate halt of employee activities. However, in acute and emergency situations, such as high water and electricity consumption in Tehran, this measure was adopted as an assisting solution.
According to ISNA, Alaeddin Rafizadeh, referring to the specific energy consumption conditions in recent weeks, said, "Although we faced shortages in the water and electricity sector and were forced to impose some outages, these actions were taken with the aim of sustaining services to the people."
He expressed hope that with better management and continuous measures by the Ministry of Energy, the country would stay away from crises. According to the vice president, "Assessments by the Ministry of Energy show that last Wednesday's closure played an effective role in reducing water and electricity consumption, and given the concerning state of water reserves and the increase in electricity demand, these closures have a positive role in managing the current situation."
Meanwhile, the energy minister said that the recent closures resulted in "418,000 cubic meters of water savings."
Abbas Aliabadi stated that the cooperation of household subscribers with the water and electricity industry plays a key role in passing the hot season without challenge and maximizing the supply of water and electricity to various sectors.
Aliabadi, referring to the status of water and electricity consumption and the importance of resource management, added, "84 percent of Tehran's water subscribers are households, highlighting the necessity of this sector's cooperation in water conservation."
In the current water year, the dams supplying drinking water to Tehran and Alborz provinces have faced a significant reduction in reserves. The Karaj Dam, with a decline of over 60%, and the Taleqan Dam, with a 33% reduction compared to last year, are currently in a fragile state.