Gas storage has been recognized as a fundamental solution in managing the gas imbalance in industries in Iran. This issue becomes even more critical in conditions where gas security has become a prerequisite for the continuity of production and investment. Estimates indicate that the annual loss figure for industries due to the gas imbalance in the cold winter season reaches over 20 billion dollars. This significant figure shows that investment in gas storage infrastructure can be economically justified.
The Necessity of Gas Storage in Industries
The gas imbalance is no longer a temporary issue related to a few days in winter, but has turned into one of the structural challenges of the Iranian economy. This challenge has widespread effects on production, employment, exports, and foreign exchange revenues. In such circumstances, investment in gas storage as an economic solution should be considered. The loss due to gas limitations in industries is estimated to be around 20 billion dollars, and accordingly, creating gas storage capacities should be part of the important agenda of large enterprises.
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Energy Risk Management through Storage
Energy risk management should be considered alongside financial risk management and raw material supply in the planning of large industries. Given that large industries are dependent on a network that comes under pressure during the cold months, it is reasonable for them to have backup solutions for part of their consumption. In this context, gas storage can play a key role and allow industries to utilize their stored capacity during crises instead of waiting for government decisions.
The cost of storing each cubic meter of gas is estimated to be around five cents. Comparing the cost of creating storage capacity with the cost of production stoppage shows that establishing storage infrastructure can lead to significant savings. For example, if creating storage capacity can prevent part of the losses due to production stoppage or reduction in the cold season, this investment is considered an economically justifiable measure.
Large and energy-intensive industries must change their approach to energy security. Relying on the public gas network and waiting for the government to fully resolve the imbalance, especially when a gap between supply and demand occurs in the cold season, cannot be the only solution. Creating dedicated storage facilities or participating in joint storage projects can be one of the effective tools in this regard.
Ultimately, this change in approach will benefit not only the industries but also the gas network and the national economy. The government should facilitate permits and provide the necessary infrastructure to enable industries to enter this field. In return, industries should allocate part of their resources to reduce energy risk and not just wait for temporary support.
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