Electricity in Iran in 2023/2024

In the period from July 2023 to June 2024, almost 95% of Iran's electricity has been generated from fossil fuels, with natural gas alone accounting for over 80% of the total. In stark contrast, only about 5% of the electricity comes from low-carbon or clean sources, with all of this being contributed by hydropower. This demonstrates a significant reliance on fossil fuels and a relatively minimal adoption of low-carbon electricity generation methods, highlighting an urgent need for diversification in Iran's energy mix.

Suggestions

To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Iran could draw inspiration from several countries that have successfully integrated substantial levels of clean energy. For instance, France, Slovakia, and Ukraine have significantly large shares of their electricity generated from nuclear power, exceeding 50% in each case. These countries demonstrate how nuclear energy can be a reliable and large-scale solution to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, countries like Denmark and Ireland showcase how embracing wind power has enabled them to meet around a third or more of their electricity needs sustainably. Iran could also consider the successful adoption of solar energy in countries like Greece, Chile, and Jordan, which have tapped into their ample sunlight to generate significant electricity from solar power.

History

Looking at the history of low-carbon electricity in Iran, we see a mix of ups and downs. In the early 1990s, there were notable increases and decreases in hydropower generation, with significant drops in 1994 and 1999. The 2000s saw renewed growth, especially in 2006 when hydro generation increased by 4.1 TWh. Nuclear energy made a positive mark in 2013 and 2016, contributing 2.8 TWh and 3 TWh, respectively. However, recent years have been characterized by volatility, particularly with hydropower experiencing critical declines in 2008 and 2020, although there was a remarkable boost in 2019 with a 24 TWh surge. Nuclear power also suffered a notable decline in 2021, but somewhat recovered in 2022 with another 3 TWh increase. This historical perspective underlines the potential and challenges within Iran's journey towards a more sustainable and low-carbon electricity landscape.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources