Farhad Shahroki, Vice Chairman of the Energy Commission of the Parliament, pointed out the challenges of gas imbalance in the country, stating that this issue is not merely seasonal and has a direct impact on production, employment, investment, and energy security. He emphasized that restricting gas supply to industries during peak consumption times is not only costly but can also lead to reduced production capacity and halt industrial lines.
The Necessity of Smart Demand Management
Shahroki suggested that instead of costly solutions, there should be a shift towards smart demand management and the use of economic tools. He also mentioned the energy conservation certificate issue, stating: "This matter can only be based on the real, measured, and verified reduction in consumption."
Emphasis on Transparency in Implementation
The Vice Chairman of the Energy Commission added that the baseline consumption, the method of calculating savings, the validation of operators, and the guarantee and settlement mechanisms must be completely transparent. He also emphasized that the implementation of the energy conservation certificate scheme must align with the seventh development plan and the sustainability requirements of the gas network, and the issuance of certificates should not mean ignoring the technical limitations of the network.
Shahroki stated: "The success of this scheme depends on the cost of achieving each cubic meter of savings being less than the economic value of preventing production stoppage. In such conditions, savings will transform from a general recommendation into an economic tool for securing energy for industries."
Need for Quick Decision-Making
He pointed out that the upcoming winter requires precise and swift decisions, calling for collaboration among the Ministry of Oil, National Gas Company, Optimization Organization, and other relevant agencies before peak consumption. According to him, these agencies need to specify the operational details of the scheme, including the issuance and trading of certificates, guarantees, settlements, and gas allocation.
Shahroki noted that our country has vast energy resources and that the continuity of production and employment should not be jeopardized every winter by restricting industries. He emphasized that the future of Iran's energy security depends on increasing productivity, public participation, and the use of smart economic mechanisms, and we must turn real savings into capital for national production.
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