Gas-Rich Iran Hit Hard by Energy Crisis

Earlier this month, Iran’s government invoked “unprecedented” summer heat when it ordered a two-day nationwide shutdown to protect public health and conserve energy amid temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.

The move came as the country, despite sitting on the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves, faces acute shortages of electricity.

The Tehran Electricity Distribution Company announced on August 9 it had been forced to “reduce the network load during peak hours” due to “rising air temperatures and increased electricity consumption.”

The measure included disconnecting electricity supply to 50 high-consuming national and provincial organizations, he said.

“Some homes have water tanks but, in a 50-degree heat, the water tanks can cause third-degree burns,” a resident of the south-western city of Ahvaz recently told IranWire. “We’re talking about heat, water scarcity and power cuts, but our words often fall on deaf ears.To truly grasp our plight, one has to experience it firsthand."

Water shortages – and protests over water scarcity – are becoming more commonplace across Iran, with poor water management, drought and corruption-ridden infrastructure projects contributing to the crisis.

The water crisis is exacerbating the energy crisis, as many power plants in Iran rely on water for cooling. With water levels declining, these power plants are forced to shut down, which in turn reduces electricity supply.

The electricity shortage is causing problems for businesses and the industry, with some factories being forced to shut down due to lack of power.

Voice of America cited a witness from central Markazi province saying that "industrial units experience electricity cuts for two days a week" and agricultural wells face a daily power interruption from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., while “households have been grappling with power outages."

Amid widespread reports of power cuts across Iran, energy-starved Pakistan has signaled its intent to buy more electricity from its neighbor.

The Pakistani Finance Ministry made the announcement in a statement on August 8, a week after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian’s visit to Islamabad.