Iran has successfully integrated the fourth gas-fired unit of its Neka power plant in northern Mazandaran Province into the national electricity grid, achieving the milestone in a record 99 days, according to statements from the Thermal Power Plant Company. The completed unit has a capacity of 183 megawatts.

Azim Etemadi, CEO of the Thermal Power Plant Company, highlighted that the installation and commissioning process was carried out by Iranian engineers despite ongoing threats against the country's electricity infrastructure. These threats emerged amid a reported 40-day military campaign by a US-Israeli coalition launched against Iran in late February, which targeted various infrastructure sites.

The expedited connection of the unit to the grid came 33 days ahead of schedule, surpassing the previous national record of 130 days set during the initial phase of the Neka project, which coincided with a 12-day conflict in June. The Neka plant expansion includes two gas units of 183 megawatts each and one steam unit with 180 megawatts operating in combined-cycle mode.

With this addition, two gas units are now active on the grid as part of efforts to address electricity shortages in Mazandaran Province. Upon full completion of the combined-cycle project, the total generation capacity of the power plant is expected to reach 2,760 megawatts. The new units are reported to achieve operational efficiency exceeding 53% under combined-cycle conditions, according to Etemadi.