Iran's fragile energy system. The president calls on citizens to save electricity

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian on Saturday urged citizens to save electricity, warning that while there are no current shortages, the US administration has repeatedly threatened to destroy energy infrastructure.

“We make a simple request to our dear citizens: reduce electricity consumption,” the president said on state television.

“We don't need people to make sacrifices now, but we need to control consumption. Instead of ten light bulbs in the house, two are enough. What's wrong with that?” – he added.

No power outages have been reported in Tehran in recent days, which was hit hard by US and Israeli air attacks, AFP reported.

Pezeshkian accused Iran's enemies of attacking infrastructure “to cause public dissatisfaction.” US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to destroy Iran's energy infrastructure, but has not yet fulfilled these promises, he recalled.

Even before the current war with the United States and Israel, people in Iran experienced frequent power outages during periods of peak consumption in winter and summer.

According to the International Energy Agency, Iran generates almost four-fifths of its electricity from natural gas, of which it has large reserves. Oil fuel, used in older power plants, is also used to produce energy.

However, aging infrastructure, as AFP writes, lack of investment and the effects of international sanctions have meant that the energy network is unable to meet demand. In November 2024, the government introduced rotating two-hour power cuts and shortened the working hours of government offices, turned off highway lighting and introduced four-hour power cuts for farms.

The capital of Iran is also struggling with a water crisis. President Pezeshkan warned last year that Tehran could be evacuated if it did not solve its water shortage. (PAP)

wr/ap/