Iran’s Ministry of Energy announced the implementation of scheduled power outages beginning on Monday, November 11, due to a combination of “cold weather, increased gas consumption in households, and fuel limitations for power plants.” The outages, spanning two hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., will initially impact various locations, including Tehran—which has been divided into 24 districts for rotating blackouts affecting both residential and commercial sectors.
Despite sitting on the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves, the regime blames cold temperatures and rising residential gas demand for power shortages, avoiding responsibility for ongoing infrastructure issues. The Tehran Power Distribution Company advised citizens to consult the “Bargh-e Man” app for outage schedules, though reports indicate the app has faced access issues due to high traffic.
In a statement, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani defended the decision to substitute blackouts for mazut burning (a highly polluting heavy fuel oil) in the power plants of Arak, Karaj, and Isfahan. “It is not just for part of society to pay for electricity production with their health,” she stated, referencing the regime’s president Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent directive to halt mazut usage, suggesting “scheduled power outages” as a temporary alternative to reduce air pollution.
Power Crisis in #Iran: Widespread Outages and Public Discontenthttps://t.co/sSOfWttUr1
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 29, 2024
The winter blackouts follow a severe summer power crisis that left parts of Tehran’s District 22 without power for up to 12 hours, affecting residents in Chitgar Town and beyond. Additionally, healthcare facilities across the country have been hit by power cuts, with Khomeini Hospital in Mahallat and Pirouz Hospital in Lahijan previously reporting outages that disrupted life-saving equipment. “When power goes out for dialysis machines, it’s life-threatening, not just inconvenient,” said a relative of a patient affected during the summer.
MP Nader-Gholi Ebrahimi provided insight into the extent of the crisis, disclosing a 20,000-megawatt power shortfall. “With demand so high, production simply cannot keep up,” he warned, urging the government to prioritize energy solutions rather than deflect blame onto citizens.
The shortage has also left the power sector with minimal fuel reserves. Reports reveal that 60% of fuel supplies for power plants are depleted, and shortages in diesel and gas persist, even though Iran is home to some of the world’s most substantial fossil fuel resources. Farshid Shokrkhodaei of the Iran Chamber of Commerce expressed frustration, stating, “This isn’t a simple imbalance; it’s a direct result of governance failures.”
With public frustration growing, Iran’s energy crisis underscores systemic issues that have led to chronic resource shortages. As winter approaches, millions across Iran are now bracing for a season of both energy deprivation and worsening air pollution—symptoms of a regime unable or unwilling to address the root causes of the crisis.
