Iran shut-down schools and government offices in Tehran and more than 20 of its 31 provinces on Wednesday to conserve electricity as the country experienced frigid temperatures, according to officials.
Despite having some of the world’s largest oil and gas reserves, Iran has been experiencing power shortages as it struggles to deliver adequate fuel to its power plants, particularly during the winter when heating demand increases.
The closures affect Tehran and more than 20 other provinces, including Alborz, Fars, Hamadan and Isfahan.
On the night of Feb. 11, power outages hit several districts of Tehran, with state television reporting gas supply issues at power plants.
The national electricity company, Tavanir, said it was working to keep plants running but urged a 10-percent cut in gas and electricity consumption.
Iran regularly cites extreme weather and fuel shortages when imposing such shutdowns.
Similar limits were implemented on Saturday, a working day in Iran, to reduce energy consumption.
Overnight, temperatures in Hamadan dropped to minus 19 degrees Celsius (-2.2 Fahrenheit), making it the coldest provincial capital, according to state media.
Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds are expected in 13 provinces, with snowfall in hilly locations, primarily in the north.
In the Zagros mountains, about 300 kilometres (185 miles) west of Tehran, 60 villages remain cut off by snow, with air deliveries underway to provide supplies, state media reported.
