Ali Rabani, head of the Optimization Department at NPC, highlighted
that the provinces of Mazandaran, South Khorasan, and Isfahan ranked the
highest in terms of participation in the energy-saving initiative during its
first three weeks.
Rabani noted that despite Iran being the second-largest holder of
natural gas reserves and the third-largest producer globally, the country is
facing a gas imbalance. "Currently, the country is producing 860 million
cubic meters of gas, which, with proper utilization, can sustain both domestic
heating and industrial needs," he said.
He emphasized that the country's consumption patterns are inefficient,
leading to limitations in gas supply. "Increased consumption in the
residential, commercial, and industrial sectors has caused significant
shortages, particularly affecting the petrochemical industry’s feedstock
supply," Rabani explained.
According to Rabani, petrochemical companies are facing a 50 million
cubic meter gas supply limitation, which has resulted in reduced government
revenue from gas sales, factory shutdowns, rising unemployment, and decreased
exports, which in turn affects the country’s foreign currency reserves.
He further elaborated that the total gas consumption for petrochemical
industries stands at 90 million cubic meters, with the gas limitation costing
the government approximately 10 trillion rials (around $24 million) each month.
Rabani reiterated the importance of efficient gas consumption, stating
that if all sectors used gas optimally, industries could continue operating
without issue. He added that on certain days, gas consumption in residential,
commercial, and industrial sectors exceeds 600 million cubic meters, leading to
decreased gas supply for power plants, which forces them to rely on liquid
fuels.
The 10% Energy Consumption Reduction Campaign, a joint initiative
between the National Gas Company and NPC, aims to address these gas imbalances.
Rabani highlighted that this social innovation campaign, which involves
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and knowledge-based companies, will run
without imposing additional financial burdens on the government or the public.
He emphasized that the project not only promotes a culture of energy
conservation but also helps address social and environmental challenges through
investments from companies affected by gas limitations.
As part of the campaign’s social rewards, Rabani revealed that a
significant number of wheelchairs for children in need, high-efficiency heaters
for the underprivileged, solar power plants for women-led workshops, and
reforestation efforts in the Zagros mountains have been funded by the campaign.
In the first round of the prize draw, 350 high-efficiency heaters, as well as
subsidies for package replacements and improvements to boiler systems, will be
distributed to the three provinces with the highest participation.
Rabani invited the public to participate in the campaign, stating that
weekly draws will be held for the next four weeks, with 8,000 prizes out of a
total of 10,000 energy-saving devices and financial assistance to be awarded by
the end of March. He urged people to register for the initiative through the
campaign’s website, NABZENERGY.IR, to contribute to this valuable effort aimed
at protecting future generations' resources.