Official reports from the Oil Ministry show that the country’s thermal power plants consumed about 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the first six months of 2025. This figure represents a vast share of national capital that, if managed efficiently, could have played a decisive role in economic development and reducing energy costs. The main problem, however, is the low efficiency of Iran’s fossil-fuel and gas-fired power plants.

According to technical data, the efficiency of existing plants in the country is estimated at only 30 to 35 percent. In other words, about 70 percent of the gas consumed is lost without being converted into electricity, effectively squandering enormous amounts of capital. In contrast, international standards—using modern technologies and combined-cycle turbines—push power plant efficiency above 50 percent.

Statistics indicate that on September 8, 2025, gas consumption by power plants peaked at 39 million cubic meters, while the average daily consumption over the entire period was 270 million cubic meters. This massive consumption not only places a heavy financial burden on the country, but—due to the plants’ inefficiency—also directly contributes to worsening air pollution in major cities.

Energy experts warn that the continuation of this trend will inevitably result in rolling blackouts and an inability to provide stable electricity. They argue that the absence of sound planning and insufficient oversight of technical upgrades at power plants has allowed national capital to be consumed in raw, inefficient forms for years.

The water crisis is also linked to thermal power plants. These units require large volumes of water for cooling, and low efficiency means even greater water loss. Thus, wasted gas is only one side of the story; it is part of a cycle of multifaceted damage to the nation’s economy and environment.

Experts suggest that the solution lies in restructuring ageing plants and moving toward combined-cycle systems and renewable energies. While this transition requires initial investment, it would in the long run yield major savings in gas consumption and reduce pollution. Yet as long as the country’s energy policies remain short-term and consumption-driven, the waste of gas and rising pollution will persist, leaving the nation exposed to blackouts and environmental crises.