Iran expects a major surge in demand for electricity this summer amid efforts to control rising consumption in the country’s household and manufacturing sectors.
A spokesman for Iran’s state electricity company Tavanir said on Monday that peak consumption of electricity in Iran could reach as much as 73 gigawatts (GW) this summer, up more than 10% compared to figures reported last year.
Mostafa Rajabi said that maximum output of electricity in Iran would reach 62.5 GW this summer, adding that the country will try to fill the gap in demand and supply of power through consumption control measures in household and manufacturing sectors.
Rajabi said a government decision in March to stop using daylight saving time could lead to an increase of 1 GW in demand for electricity this year.
He said temperatures are also expected to rise to record levels this summer, causing a record surge in demand for cooling.
Iran’s Energy Ministry said earlier on Monday that the government would order a change in normal working hours of its departments and offices as of May 22 to control demand for electricity in the country.