Electricity in Iran in 2024/2025
In 2024, the state of electricity consumption in Iran remains highly reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 90% of electricity generated from these sources. A predominant portion of this comes from natural gas, making up about 80% of the electricity generation. Low-carbon sources contribute to less than 10% of the electricity mix, highlighting the potential for expansion. Among clean energy sources, hydropower is the most significant, providing roughly 6% of the total electricity, while nuclear energy accounts for under 2%. The reliance on fossil fuels poses challenges related to climate change and environmental pollution, underlining the need for a transition towards more sustainable electricity generation methods.
Is Electricity Growing in Iran?
Analyzing the growth of electricity in Iran, there's a modest increase in overall consumption, reaching 4245 kWh per person in 2024 from a previous record of 4226 kWh in 2023. This small rise indicates a relatively stagnant growth in electricity use. On the other hand, low-carbon electricity generation saw a significant decline, with the latest figure at 335 kWh per person, compared to the highest record of 477 kWh per person in 2019. This decrease in clean energy generation is concerning and highlights a critical area for improvement, as electricity growth driven by fossil fuels is unsustainable in the long term.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Iran can draw lessons from other regions excelling in clean energy adoption. Countries like France and Slovakia demonstrate the impact of embracing nuclear energy, with over 60% of their electricity coming from this source. Iran could also look towards regions leading in solar energy, such as Lebanon and Nevada, where solar constitutes a considerable portion of electricity generation. A strategic focus on both solar and nuclear energy, inspired by these successful regions, can significantly bolster Iran's clean energy industry, mitigate environmental impacts, and ensure a sustainable and secure electricity supply.
History
Historically, Iran's low-carbon electricity generation has experienced varying shifts. In the 1990s, hydropower faced fluctuations, with years like 1992 seeing a rise of almost 4 TWh, followed by declines in subsequent years, such as a decrease of nearly 3 TWh by 1994. The early 21st century saw some growth, notably in 2006 with an increase of over 4 TWh. However, the late 2010s and early 2020s painted a more turbulent picture, with hydropower witnessing major decreases, for instance, a dramatic fall of over 10 TWh in 2020. Nuclear energy encountered declines as well, particularly in 2021 with a drop of nearly 3 TWh, although it showed recovery in 2022. These patterns reveal an inconsistent trajectory, urging more stable and substantial investments in clean energy sources, particularly nuclear, which has shown potential for steady contribution when prioritized.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.