Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged the public to conserve electricity, cautioning that while no shortages currently exist, the United States and Israel are attempting to sow discontent among the Iranian populace. In a televised address on state TV, Pezeshkian stated, "We have asked our dear people, who are now ready and present on the ground, a simple request. And that is to reduce their own electricity and energy consumption."
Call for Simple Sacrifices
Pezeshkian emphasized that no major sacrifices are needed at this time, but controlling consumption is essential. He illustrated his point by saying, "Instead of 10 lights, two lights should be turned on in the house — what is wrong with that?" Despite ongoing US-Israeli bombing campaigns against Iran, no power cuts have been reported in Tehran in recent days.
Accusations Against Enemies
The president accused Iran's adversaries of targeting infrastructure and imposing a blockade to transform current satisfaction into dissatisfaction. However, even before the current conflict, Iran experienced frequent power outages during peak winter and summer demand periods.
Energy Sector Challenges
According to the International Energy Agency, Iran generates nearly 80% of its electricity from natural gas, a resource in which it is self-sufficient due to vast gas fields. This is supplemented by low-quality heavy fuel oil, known as mazout, used at older power stations. Nevertheless, aging infrastructure, insufficient investment, and severe international sanctions limiting access to technology and capital have left the electricity grid struggling to meet demand.
Previous Awareness Campaigns
Pezeshkian has previously launched several public awareness campaigns to reduce energy use, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address the country's energy challenges.
