2,582 MW of New Thermal Power Capacity Came Online for 1.4 Billion Euros; Parliament Estimates Illegal Crypto Miners Draw About 2,000 MW (Saturday, 1 August 2026)

Iran announced two thousand five hundred and eighty two megawatts of new capacity today. On Saturday the first of August, two power sector announcements landed on the same day. The thermal power company says that capacity has come online since last August. It cost more than one point four billion euros, across fifteen new units and several refurbishments. The breakdown is simple: two thousand and twenty eight, plus four hundred and ninety, plus sixty four. But note this carefully: that is nameplate capacity, and the mining figure is only an estimate. On the twenty sixth of July the energy minister reported six hundred and sixty eight megawatts in one week. Why does illegal mining pay? Subsidised power goes in, and output is valued at a global price. Parliament has a two urgency bill, and the ministry runs the Mahtab scheme across the provinces. The strain lands on energy intensive industries: steel, cement, copper, petrochemicals and autos. Less power means less output, lower sales, and a direct hit to listed company accounts. Four more numbers: a ratio near seventy seven percent, and about five hundred and forty two thousand euros per megawatt. Watch three things: the bill, the Mahtab reports, and monthly sales from energy intensive firms. Today's verdict is clear: building capacity is necessary, but not sufficient while the leak stays open. Two thousand built, two thousand estimated as leakage. Will the bill claw it back? Full story on Sahmino.com.