Tasnim � Iran�s nominal capacity to produce electricity has reached nearly 80,000 megawatts (MW) following the connection of a number of power plants to the country�s national grid over the past weeks.


Since the beginning of the current Iranian year (March 21), Iran�s overall nominal capacity to generate electricity has increased by 1,005 MW.

With the coming into service of several new power plants, the capacity reached 79,665 MW in the month of Mehr (September 23 � October 22).

Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Tehran back in February, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardekanian highlighted the country�s self-sufficiency in the area of power generation and said the Islamic Republic is the top producer of electricity in the Middle East.

About 90 percent of power generation equipment, even complicated parts like turbines and generators, are currently manufactured inside the country, the energy minister said at the time.

He added that Iran�s capabilities in the area of power generation have developed over the past four decades so much that the country has become the top producer of electricity in the region.

�At present, we have energy exchanges with all the countries that share land borders with us,� he said.