President Masoud Pezeshkian  on Monday warned government agencies that they would be denied electricity during the summer unless they install and use solar panel systems.In remarks outlining the government’s energy plans, Pezeshkian stressed, “All public offices must install solar panels. Electricity will not be provided to agencies this summer unless they use solar panels. Ministers are required to submit progress reports on this initiative by next Wednesday.”Government offices are required to source at least 20% of their electricity from renewable energy. The president issued a two-month compliance period for government agencies to install solar panels, effective June 21.According to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization of Iran (SATBA), efforts are underway to equip a significant portion of executive and government agencies with solar power systems by this summer.   Iran’s vice presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy was among the offices that launched a 40-kilowatt solar power plant on the rooftop of its main building, aligning with the government’s mandate for executive bodies to transition toward electrical self-sufficiency and promote renewable and clean energy adoption.Meanwhile, the deputy energy minister predicted peak electricity demand could surpass 85,000 megawatts, despite the fact that the country’s thermal power plant capacity has risen by 10% compared to last year.Homayoun Haeri, during a joint meeting of senior officials from the ministries of Industry and Energy to coordinate maximum power supply for industries, warned of an unprecedented surge in electricity consumption this summer.He noted that early and extreme heatwaves — projected to be 3 to 6 degrees above long-term averages — will sharply drive up demand. Meanwhile, Iran’s hydropower plants, with a capacity of 12,500 megawatts, face severe operational constraints due to a over 40% decline in water reserves. These reserves are being safeguarded for July and August, when the grid will experience its most critical shortages.“Last year’s average electricity demand was 936,062 megawatt-hours, which has climbed to 1,021,000 megawatt-hours this year — a 9% increase in national power consumption,” Haeri added.  (ICE TEHERAN)

Fonte notizia: IRAN DAILY