Blackout disaster: 60% of power plant fuel is wasted

According to Energy Press, while many cities in the country are struggling with widespread blackouts, shocking statistics have been published showing a 60 percent fuel waste in power plants.
This fall, due to a shortage of fuel in power plants, some industries and even homes faced power outages. But the main question is why, despite all this shortage, a huge amount of fuel is wasted?
The paradox of energy; Blackouts alongside waste
Hamid Hosseini, a member of the Energy Commission of the Chamber of Commerce, spoke with Energy Press about the reasons for the high fuel waste in the country’s power plants.
Referring to various factors affecting the efficiency of power plants, he said: One of the main reasons for this issue is the outdated technology of power plants. The geographical location of power plants also plays an important role; the height of the power plant above sea level directly affects its efficiency. Also, using a combined cycle can significantly increase the efficiency of power plants. For example, the Rudshur combined cycle power plant has an efficiency of more than 50 percent using a combined cycle.
Hosseini continued: However, no power plant in the world has a 100 percent efficiency. Even renewable power plants such as solar and wind have a limited efficiency of about 20 percent, and only nuclear power plants have a higher efficiency.
Emphasizing the need to modernize power plants, he said: We must move towards modernizing and reconstructing old power plants. Many of these power plants need to be redesigned and replaced due to their age.
Dependence on fossil fuels and lack of diversity in the energy portfolio
A member of the Energy Commission of the Chamber of Commerce, referring to the empty place of renewable energies in Iran’s energy portfolio, said: Investment in renewable energies is of particular importance. In addition to reducing pollution, using clean energy sources like solar and wind helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels. For example, generating each megawatt of electricity from renewable energy is much more cost-effective than generating it from fossil fuels.