Estimating Efficiency of Thermal and Hydroelectric Power Plants in Iranian Provinces

This paper aims at estimating the efficiency of hydroelectric power plants (renewable energy resources) and thermal power plant (nonrenewable energy resources) in Iranian provinces. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approaches is applied to estimate the efficiency. The network is modeled as a linear system with multiple inputs and one output. Fuel cost, labor force, operation cost are used as inputs. Electrical energy delivered per year is used in the model as output. The study offers some detailed policies to improve the efficiency of the plants. Mean technical efficiency of hydroelectric power plant in 2011 and 2010 are 62% and 53%, respectively. Mean technical efficiency of thermal power plant in 2011 and 2010 is 82% and 77%, respectively. The results of the study indicate that mean technical efficiency of thermal power plant in 2010 and 2011 is higher than efficiency of hydroelectric power plants.