Electricity in Iran in 2024
Currently, Iran's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, comprising more than 90% of the total electricity production. A significant portion, over 80%, is derived specifically from natural gas. Low-carbon sources, which are critical for sustainable energy, contribute a modest share to the overall energy mix, making up nearly 8%. Within this category, hydropower contributes more than half, approximately 6%, while nuclear energy accounts for close to 2%. These figures highlight the stark contrast between the prevalence of fossil fuels and the minimal use of clean energy in Iran’s electricity landscape, underscoring the need for a strategic pivot towards increasing low-carbon production.
Is Electricity Growing in Iran?
Examining the growth of electricity consumption, there is a noticeable uptick, albeit modest. The current figure stands at 4280 kWh per person—an increase from the previous record of 4226 kWh per person set the year prior. The rise by 54 kWh per person indicates a continued demand for electricity. However, the situation is less favorable for low-carbon electricity, which has declined from its 2019 peak of 477 kWh per person to 337 kWh per person, marking a drop of 140 kWh per person. This reduction signifies a worrying trend in clean energy usage, as Iran lags in expanding its low-carbon electricity portfolio.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Iran can learn from nations that have successfully harnessed clean energy. Similar to Iran, countries like the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan have made strides in nuclear power, contributing around 20% and 13% of their electricity from this source, respectively. Additionally, Lebanon and Chile offer examples in solar energy, with solar power supplying about 31% and 22% of their electricity. Emulating these strategies could help Iran significantly boost its nuclear and solar capacity, reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and aligning with global trends towards sustainable energy.
History
The historical trajectory of low-carbon electricity in Iran reveals fluctuating fortunes. Hydropower has shown a cyclical pattern, with notable expansions in the early 1990s and mid-2000s but facing steep declines in subsequent years, particularly 2008 and 2020. Nuclear energy saw an encouraging ascent in the mid-2010s, notably in 2013 and 2016, though it encountered a setback in 2021. Despite these fluctuations, there was a hydropower resurgence in 2023. These ebbs and flows highlight both the potential and challenges within Iran's clean electricity landscape, necessitating a steadfast commitment to developing sustainable infrastructure and policies geared towards expanding nuclear and solar capacity to ensure a cleaner and more resilient electricity future for the country.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.