Iran is grappling with an energy crunch, shutting down operations at several power plants due to a severe fuel shortage worsened by surging demand during a prolonged cold wave.
Despite being one of the world’s leading holders of natural gas reserves, Iran has recently imposed electricity rationing, alongside the closure of schools and government offices, to cope with the situation.
President Masoud Pezeshkian, advocating for reduced energy consumption, publicly apologized for the fuel shortages on Monday and assured citizens that the crisis would be resolved by the next year.
In the western Lorestan province, authorities partially halted operations at a gas-powered plant on Monday, citing a surge in household gas usage, according to state-run IRNA. Similarly, the northern province of Golestan shut down facilities and implemented electricity rationing over the weekend, local media reported.
The cold wave has brought freezing temperatures nationwide, leading to school and government building closures in more than 20 provinces, including Tehran. Provinces like Isfahan and West Azerbaijan were among the latest to announce similar measures, as power outages continue to impact residents across the country, including those in the capital.
According to IRNA, energy-saving measures implemented over the last 24 hours have reportedly conserved two million cubic meters of gas and 100 megawatts of electricity.
