TEHRAN, May 7, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Iran will seek to limit electricity outages in the residential sector to two hours per day starting Saturday, local media reported, even as the country braces for soaring summer temperatures.

  Reza Kafili, a senior official with Iran's national electricity grid, told the Mehr news agency on Wednesday that the blackout schedule would be implemented more reliably and with clearer communication.

  "From Saturday, outages will not exceed two hours unless an unexpected incident occurs," Kafili said.

  He nonetheless acknowledged discontent from the industrial and agricultural sectors, which have borne the brunt of the power cuts.

  He explained that many poultry farms and livestock centres are not connected to designated industrial power sources, making them more vulnerable to outages due to accidents or power rationing measures.

  Kafili said power cuts for agricultural users are scheduled between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm, while residential outages are to be limited to two hours nationwide.

  In an effort to regulate public sector energy use, all government offices have been equipped with smart metres that can automatically restrict consumption if usage exceeds assigned limits, according to the report.

  Despite being rich in oil and gas resources, Iran has faced recurring energy shortfalls due to infrastructure challenges and international sanctions.

  In recent years, officials have imposed rolling blackouts during both the summer and winter months to cope with spikes in electricity demand.

  Last July, the government ordered a reduction in working hours across public institutions to conserve power, while in December, it switched off lighting along major highways in Tehran.

  President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in July, has criticised what he called the country's "excessive and inappropriate consumption" of electricity.

  He has launched several public awareness campaigns urging citizens to reduce their energy use.

  On Wednesday, he emphasised the government's commitment to leading by example.

  "Whenever it becomes necessary to impose electricity consumption restrictions, such limitations will first be implemented in government offices," he said.