Jalil Mokhtar, referring to the intensive meetings of the Energy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Energy Imbalance Resolution Headquarters, examined the challenges of sustainable winter fuel supply in the provinces of Mazandaran, Golestan, and North Khorasan. These provinces may face pressure drops due to their geographical location and the conditions of the gas distribution network. Mokhtar emphasized that the National Iranian Gas Company has employed all technical solutions and, in collaboration with the provincial governments, has made necessary predictions for alternative fuel supply.
Crisis Management and Consumer Cooperation
Crisis management requires precise planning, and Mokhtar stated that operational plans must be in place for all scenarios, from the most pessimistic to the most likely. Part of this responsibility lies with the National Iranian Gas Company, and the cooperation and participation of consumers in managing household consumption play a vital role in the sustainability of the entire network.
Gas Waste and Theft
Mokhtar also pointed to the extensive dimensions of gas theft, stating that theft from transmission and distribution lines imposes additional pressure on the network. Estimates show that at least 3% of the country's total gas is wasted by thieves. For example, in the Eshtehard area, 365 mining devices have been discovered and confiscated, which were illegally connected to the gas network.
Provision of Standard Heaters and Executive Actions
According to statistics from the National Iranian Gas Company, 171,000 high-efficiency heaters have replaced outdated equipment, and these heaters consume 466 cubic meters less gas annually. Mokhtar announced that arrangements have been made to supply 4 million and 100 thousand standard heaters, with a monthly capacity to deliver 150,000 units across the country.
Energy Consumption Optimization
Mokhtar considered the use of economic mechanisms in optimizing energy consumption a step forward, stating that active companies in this field receive energy savings certificates for reducing consumption. Additionally, significant savings in gas consumption can be achieved through simple actions. Mokhtar also referred to the launch of the "20 Degree Temperature" campaign, stating that reducing the temperature by one degree Celsius would save nearly 25 million cubic meters of gas daily.
