Saeed Tavakoli, the CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company, detailed the status of the gas supply and distribution network on the brink of the cold season, announcing a predicted imbalance and a reduction in capacity of approximately 400 million cubic meters during peak consumption. According to him, following the damages to the facilities of four refineries at the end of last March, 230 million cubic meters of production capacity was taken offline, of which 100 million cubic meters has been restored through technical measures taken so far, while 130 million cubic meters of capacity reduction remains in place.
Structural Challenges in Cold Seasons
This figure, alongside the structural imbalance of 250 to 300 million cubic meters from previous years in cold seasons, constitutes the total challenges for this winter. Tavakoli further emphasized the necessity of gas conservation and referred to various strategies that could help reduce consumption.
Read more: The implementation of the coding plan for fuel cards has begun in South Khorasan
The National Campaign "20" and the Importance of Conservation
The National Iranian Gas Company has launched the National Campaign "20" aimed at stabilizing the indoor temperature at 20 degrees Celsius. According to technical assessments, for each degree reduction in indoor temperature during the cold seasons, approximately 25 million cubic meters of gas consumption will be saved; a figure equivalent to the production capacity of one standard phase of the South Pars gas field, playing a decisive role in maintaining the stability of the national grid.
Gas Consumption Optimization Strategies
The CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company emphasized cost-free and low-cost home strategies, deeming actions such as sealing windows, using thick curtains, blocking air conditioning vents, and setting the temperature of boilers and heating systems within the range of 55 to 60 degrees as essential. He also stressed the necessity of adhering to Section 19 of the National Building Regulations to prevent thermal waste in new structures.
The Risk of Liquid Fuel Substitution in Power Plants
Tavakoli pointed out the vastness of the country's transmission and distribution network, which is 11.5 times the circumference of the Earth, reminding of the importance of equipment efficiency in the energy mix. He warned that excessive consumption in the residential sector disrupts the gas supply to power plants and forces the Ministry of Oil to resort to alternative liquid fuels. This action, especially in power plants located in the vicinity of major cities, could exacerbate air pollution and degrade environmental indicators.
Read more: Managing gas imbalance with modern insulation technologies and conservation certificates · Asghar Jahangir: Free energy consumption in cultural centers needs reconsideration
