Sajed Kashefi, deputy head of gas consumption optimization at the National Iranian Gas Company, said the certificates provide a transparent and regulated financial instrument that can redirect capital away from speculative markets such as foreign currency and gold into infrastructure and energy-efficiency projects.

Kashefi described the certificates as a safe haven for investors and a mechanism for safeguarding industrial production during periods of high energy demand, particularly in winter when Iran faces natural gas shortages.

Under the system, the certificates represent verified reductions in gas consumption and are traded through the Energy Exchange under competitive supply-and-demand pricing. Kashefi said the exchange’s regulatory framework and full transaction transparency help build investor confidence while reducing risks linked to hidden deals or price manipulation.

He added that the certificates are backed by a guaranteed purchase commitment from the National Iranian Gas Company at maturity, giving investors a defined minimum return and a reliable exit option. A secondary market on the Energy Exchange also allows holders to sell certificates before maturity, improving liquidity.

According to Kashefi, major industrial consumers, including steel and petrochemical producers, can use the certificates as a form of insurance against gas supply disruptions during peak consumption periods. Holders may receive priority access to gas allocations under approved regulations.

The company plans to expand the market over the next three years by increasing trading volumes and introducing exchange-traded investment funds tied to energy-saving certificates, Kashefi said. The broader goal is to reduce dependence on government budgets and channel private and public capital into national energy-efficiency projects.

Officials say the initiative could strengthen energy security while creating new investment opportunities in Iran’s evolving energy market.