Banks, government institutions and financial markets across Iran will be closed on Sunday as the country endures scorching temperatures.
“With the continuing extreme, rarely seen extreme heat, and to preserve citizens’ health and manage energy usage, all government centres and banks across the country, excluding the emergency services, will be closed,” a statement from the Iranian government’s public relations office read.
Separate statements confirmed that financial markets would be closed, and some scheduled exams would not take place.
Tehran province has recorded temperatures of 43°C in the past two days, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.
State institutions closed at 10am on Saturday to preserve energy.
Such temperatures are common in southern Iran but they are rare in the capital Tehran, which is in the north of the country.
In Isfahan in central Iran, temperatures reached 41°C on Saturday.
“It’s so hot,” one resident of the city told The National. “We are mostly staying at home. It’s hot every year at this time, but this year it’s a bit more.”
The temperatures have spurred demand for cooling. Iran has traditionally needed most gas for electricity production in winter, but the extreme heat is now leading to high demand in summer too.
“Electricity consumption is reaching its peak and for the sixth time this year we have recorded a new limit in the amount of demand,” Mohsen Zabiri, deputy director of distribution at Iran’s power generation and distribution company, told state television.
Iran produces most of its electricity through burning natural gas from its vast reserves. Consumption has reached 78,000 megawatts per hour, according to Kambiz Nazerian, head of Tehran’s electricity distribution company, quoted by Iranian media.
Electricity demand increased by more than 120 per cent between 2000 and 2021, with most energy consumed by homes and industry, according to the International Energy Agency.
“Cheap fees, illegal uses of electricity like illegal cryptocurrency mining and losses in the grid," are the main reasons for high consumption, an Iranian energy sector official told The National. “Iran has not succeeded in investing enough in its electricity generation sector due to US sanctions and low electricity prices, therefore holding little attraction for the private sector.”
In the past, the country has justified reductions in gas exports to Iraq, which it supplies with gas for power production via two pipelines, because of the need for domestic electricity generation.
Iran has been hit by the effects of climate change in recent years, with high temperatures accompanied by drought and water shortages.
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
