14 April 2011
Iran ranks first worldwide in terms of constructing hydroelectric power plants, said managing director of Tavanir Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Company.

Homayoun Haeri Khiavi told IRNA that the country occupies the third position in terms of installed power plants.

He pointed out that the nominal capacity of domestic power plants reached 60,781 megawatts last Iranian year (ended March 20).

"This is a significant measure in spite of liquidity shortage," he said, adding Iran is top electricity producer among regional nations.

The ability to regulate frequency on the grid has increased in recent years, he said, urging for improving the index.

Haeri Khiavi stated that once Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) technology is launched, the country's electricity industry would join the developed nations.

He continued that the average efficiency of power plants is 38 percent. Given the ratification of government and Majlis, the figure should reach 45 percent within five years and 50 percent under Vision 2025.

The official said manpower is the most valuable asset of electricity industry. Training those involved in electricity sector is of high importance because it will boost the industry, he mentioned.

Pricing Formula
Head of Bourse Organization said price formula for electricity bourse is on the basis of supply and demand.

The EU and US sanctions have not influenced electricity bourse, said Ali Salehabadi, Mehr News Agency reported.

Salehabadi Highlighted that pricing in electricity bourse is transparent like Bourse Organization. Adding the power plants and electricity producers would offer electricity in electricity bourse.

Power distribution companies, the companies which use high voltage electricity, and private firms that purchase electricity, are the electricity clients that trade the electricity in a competitive and transparent environment, he pointed out.

"Electricity price fluctuates, it will be cheaper in low-consumption times and will be costlier at peak load hours," he mentioned.

"We will use the experience of commodities and stock exchange bourses for launching and pricing the electricity bourse".

Earlier, deputy energy minister in electricity and energy affairs said buying and selling electricity in electricity bourse would take place instantaneously.

Mohammad Behzad explained that based on an agreement between the Energy Ministry and Securities and Exchange Organization of Iran, the electricity bourse will be officially inaugurated soon.

The official noted that the average price of each kilowatt of electricity is 450 rials (around 5 cents) during the first phase of the Subsidy Reform Law, which is not the final price for generating electricity in country.

"The average final price of each kilowatt of electricity will be 1000 rials (around 10 cents) in 2015.

People will only pay for 45 percent of the final price of electricity in the first phase of the Subsidy Reform Law and the government will pay 55 percent of the final price as subsidy," he stated.

He recalled that the price of initial resources for generating electricity and consumed fuel costs have been considered in the final price of electricity.

The official said the global prices of electricity will increase in the next five years.

"We intend to increase the efficiency of power plants and reduce wastage of electricity in the national grid so that the final price of electricity in the country would be compatible with the global rate," he concluded.

Figures released by Iran's Ministry of Energy say the country's power exports topped 4,918 MWH between March 21 and December 28, 2010 amounting to a 6.12-percent rise in comparison with the same period in 2009.

© Iran Daily 2011