Electricity in Iran in 2024/2025
In the latest twelve-month period spanning from May 2024 to April 2025, the electricity consumption in Iran heavily relied on fossil fuels, accounting for nearly 95% of the overall electricity production. Among fossil fuels, gas played a particularly dominant role, contributing almost 80% to the electricity mix. On the other hand, low-carbon or clean energy sources represented a modest slice, making up just over 5% of the total electricity. This entire low-carbon share was attributed to hydropower, as there were no significant contributions from other clean energy sources such as solar or nuclear. The reliance on fossil fuels is a major concern, especially considering the climate change and air pollution consequences associated with them.
Is Electricity Growing in Iran?
In terms of electricity growth in Iran, the data reveals a concerning trend of decline. The total electricity consumption in 2025 was recorded at 4,182 kWh per person, a decrease of about 63 kWh per person from the previous high in 2024. Even more concerning is the sharp fall in low-carbon electricity generation, with the most recent numbers at just 216 kWh per person, a significant drop of 261 kWh per person from the previous low-carbon peak in 2019. This stagnation and decline in clean electricity is worrying, as it suggests that Iran is not on the right track to address future challenges related to energy security and environmental sustainability.
Suggestions
To significantly boost low-carbon electricity generation, Iran could learn valuable lessons from regions with successful clean energy programs. For example, France and Slovakia have achieved impressive results with nuclear energy, generating around 69% and 64% of their electricity this way. Similarly, countries like Denmark have excelled in wind energy, where wind accounts for 57% of their electricity. Given this, Iran should prioritize expanding its solar and nuclear capacity, as their geography and development potential are well suited for these energy sources. By following the footsteps of successful regions, Iran can transition more effectively towards a sustainable and reliable electricity system.
History
Historically, the development of low-carbon electricity in Iran has experienced some fluctuations. In the early 2000s, hydropower saw a mix of rises and falls, with significant growth in 2002 and 2006, and declines in years like 1994 and 1999. The period following 2010 again marked both growth, as seen in hydro rises in 2010 and 2023, and noticeable decreases, such as the sharp hydro decline in 2008. From 2013 onwards, nuclear began contributing with positive growth, except for a decline in 2021 which should be addressed critically. Overall, these shifts emphasize the need for Iran to establish a more resilient and sustainably developed low-carbon electricity framework, prominently including priority sources like solar and nuclear, to avoid past inconsistencies and bolster future growth.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.