Saeid Tavakoli, who also serves as deputy oil minister for gas affairs, spoke during a video conference with provincial gas company managers. He said short-, medium- and long-term plans have been developed for each strategy, with implementation to be coordinated through energy task forces led by provincial governments, according to NIGC.

Tavakoli said the main goal is to keep the national gas grid stable while protecting consumer rights. He said that in addition to maximizing repairs and reconstruction of damaged sections of the South Pars gas field to restore previous production capacity, authorities must use all consumption management tools — from changing usage patterns to imposing targeted limits across different sectors.

Of Iran’s 31 provincial gas companies, 20 have signed contracts under the efficiency plan, and eight have fully implemented the operational plan required from a previous meeting, Tavakoli said.

He noted differences in conservation capacity across provinces, with some performing above average and others well below. He said the figures show both greater potential for savings and a need for more targeted efforts.

Tavakoli said 47 contractor companies are currently active under energy efficiency policies, with the number increasing weekly.

He said Tehran province and northern provinces have high potential for energy savings because of their concentration of greenhouses and poultry farms. About 33% of the country’s poultry farms are in Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, he said, making conservation efforts there a priority.

Tavakoli praised Markazi province for using remote monitoring and meter-reading systems to track small and large consumers. He said the technology improves monitoring accuracy, response times and network management and could serve as a model for other provinces.

On government office consumption, Tavakoli said officials must conduct full energy audits similar to standards inspectors. He said boiler rooms, heating systems, ventilation and cooling systems must be checked, and any problems or lapses in maintenance must be addressed by provincial energy task forces, with the goal of moving toward zero leaks.

He stressed that regular inspections for leaks, smart consumption controls and periodic checks of boiler rooms and upgraded facilities must be part of provincial gas company managers’ oversight plans, so that completed projects do not lose effectiveness over time.

Tavakoli cited a cabinet decision requiring gas companies to forecast customer consumption and send text message alerts — for example, notifying a customer that they are in the fourth pricing tier and what their bill would be if they repeat last year’s usage pattern. He said such clear notifications directly affect consumer behavior.

Tavakoli said the threat of reduced production at South Pars must be turned into an opportunity. Public campaigns such as the “National Solidarity Campaign” and other cultural initiatives are important tools for raising awareness about energy use, he said, adding that without public cooperation and household, office and industrial conservation, long-term grid stability will not be possible.