Reza Sepahvand, the spokesman for the Energy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, emphasized the need to diversify the fuel basket and optimize energy consumption during a specialized meeting of this commission focused on implementing the seventh development plan in the energy sector. This meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of Economy and representatives from the Research Center and discussed the provisions of the seventh plan in the energy sector, particularly the management and optimization of fuel and gasoline consumption.
Diversifying the fuel basket; a legal obligation
Sepahvand pointed out that according to Article 46 of the seventh development plan, the government is obligated to optimize energy consumption and diversify the fuel basket by the end of the plan. He added that three key areas were discussed in this session, including the development of CNG and LPG stations and electric vehicle charging stations, transferring the refueling process from fuel cards to bank cards, and issuing electronic receipts for each individual at fuel stations.
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Infrastructure challenges in using CNG
Sepahvand further referred to statistics in the CNG sector and stated: We have a capacity of over 30 to 35 million cubic meters per day and about four million dual-fuel vehicles in the country, but current consumption has reached 17 million cubic meters. He expressed hope that incentives such as making CNG free and converting vehicles to dual-fuel would help increase the use of this fuel, noting an increase in CNG consumption from 15 million cubic meters to 17 million cubic meters in the past two weeks.
Progress in using LPG and electric vehicles
Regarding the use of LPG, Sepahvand said: This fuel, due to being cheaper than gasoline and its clean characteristics, can be welcomed by the public. Currently, the establishment of 8 LPG stations in metropolitan areas including Tehran and Isfahan is on the agenda. He also mentioned the reduction of import tariffs on hybrid and electric vehicles to below 10 percent and added: 232 electric charging stations have been approved and are being implemented.
Energy consumption management in winter
Finally, Sepahvand referred to the issue of energy management in the winter season and said: In multiple meetings of the Energy Commission with the Ministers of Oil and Power and relevant officials, special measures have been taken to manage the gas imbalance caused by enemy attacks. He emphasized that northern provinces, which are at the end of the transmission lines, are prioritized, and consumption management plans, including replacing liquid fuel in power plants instead of gas, are on the agenda.
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