Masoud Beheshtian, the President, announced on Saturday, November 6, 2025, during a meeting on energy and fuel consumption management, that the national energy management program has entered the implementation phase and emphasized the urgent need for energy-saving measures in government agencies, industries, and the residential sector. This meeting was attended by the Ministers of Interior and Energy, the caretaker of the Ministry of Oil, the head of the Organization for Optimization and Strategic Energy Management, and several executive officials.
Sustainable Fuel Supply for Industries is a Government Priority
Beheshtian, appreciating the efforts of managers to maintain energy supply stability, expressed hope that with strengthened coordination among agencies, the country could get through this winter without serious problems. The President has prioritized the sustainable supply of fuel for industries and preventing harm to employment in this meeting. However, an examination of the gas network conditions indicates that achieving this goal will depend on a set of factors, including the severity of winter, production status, and the success of consumption management programs.
Challenge of 400 Million Cubic Meters Gas Imbalance
The most significant issue facing the new government program is the considerable gap between the supply and demand for natural gas during the winter season. Saeed Tavakoli, the CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company, announced on November 1 that the gas imbalance during peak winter consumption may reach about 400 million cubic meters per day. According to him, even before the damage to gas facilities, the country faced a daily imbalance of 250 to 300 million cubic meters on cold days. Currently, about 130 million cubic meters of the damaged capacity remains offline.
These figures indicate that the imbalance issue is not solely due to increased household consumption, but also involves limitations in production capacity and energy supply infrastructure. On the other hand, increased heating demand on cold days can put additional pressure on the gas distribution network. In such conditions, consumer conservation can alleviate some of the network pressure, but a sustainable solution to the crisis requires rebuilding damaged capacities, investment, and improving infrastructure efficiency.
Consumption Management Programs and Performance Monitoring
One of the important decisions made during the November 6 meeting was the President's order for the immediate formation of a real-time monitoring room for the performance of executive agencies. According to this order, the Ministry of Interior will be responsible for coordinating oversight of provincial actions, and the Ministry of Communications must provide the necessary infrastructure for connecting agencies. In this program, governors, district governors, and village heads are required to follow up on the implementation of energy consumption management guidelines.
Beheshtian also called for incentives for successful managers and action against those who do not fulfill their responsibilities regarding conservation. This approach could transform energy consumption management from a general recommendation into a criterion for evaluating managers' performance. However, the effectiveness of such a system depends on the publication of measurable indicators, access to reliable data, and the ability to assess the actual results of conservation efforts.
Consumption Reduction Programs in Office Buildings
Another part of the government's program focuses on reducing energy consumption in office buildings. The President urged managers to reduce room temperatures, use appropriate insulation, modify boiler rooms, and prevent heating unused spaces to decrease fuel consumption. These measures are economically significant as part of the energy consumption in buildings results from heat loss, improper equipment settings, and inefficient operation.
Beheshtian also called for managing the heating of mosques, husseiniyahs, and second homes to reduce energy consumption when these spaces are not in use. Preventing disruptions in energy supply can help maintain market stability and reduce pressure on the production sector.
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