Azerbaijan, Baku, May 30/ Trend F.Milad/
The government claims some 10 trillion rials (around $820 million) from electricity subscribers in outstanding bills, the deputy Iranian energy minister announced on Wednesday.
Mohammad Behzad told the Mehr News Agency that 100 trillion rials (some $8.2 billion) worth of property belonging to the ministry were sold in the last calendar year, which ended on March 19.
"The government has approved disconnecting indebted subscribers, but for the time being has no intention to do so, "he said.
Behzad said in April that the energy ministry will roll out power projects that will increase Iran's electricity generation capacity by 5 GW this calendar year.
He added that over 10 GW should be added to the generation capacity of hydroelectric and thermal power plants by August 2013, the last month of President Ahmadinejad's administration, the Fars News Agency reported.
Iran's nominal electricity generation capacity stands at 63 around GW, ranking the country at 15th in the world, an official with Iran Power Generation Transmission and Distribution Management Company (TAVANIR) stated.
"Iran is the top electricity producer in the Middle East, as well," Abdorrasoul Pishahang told the IRNA News Agency.
By the end of the Fifth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2015), Iran will boost its electricity generation capacity by 25GW to reach 73GW, Energy Minister Majid Namjou said on February 7.