Ramezanali Sangdovini said public education and awareness are crucial to reducing gas consumption. A significant share of unnecessary consumption, he said, stems from unintentional behavioral habits, inefficient consumption practices and improper use of heating equipment. Continuous public education can help change consumption behavior among households and organizations without requiring major investments, he added.

Ensuring a stable gas supply during winter requires broad cooperation among government agencies and the public, Sangdovini said. By improving consumption patterns, deploying smart technologies across the gas network and encouraging households to cooperate, the country can get through the cold season without disruptions and maintain reliable services, he said.

Sangdovini said measures to improve gas consumption include upgrading heating plants and equipment, replacing inefficient heaters and appliances with high-efficiency models, insulating buildings, enforcing energy standards, deploying smart meters to accurately monitor consumption, and expanding public education and awareness campaigns.

He also highlighted the role of economic incentives in managing consumption. Discounts or savings rewards on gas bills, access to lower tariffs and incentives for reducing consumption compared with the same period of the previous year could be effective measures, he said. Low-consumption customers would also be protected from higher tiered tariffs, he added.

Expanding smart meters and enabling consumers to monitor and manage their gas use in real time or near real time are key elements of a smarter gas distribution network, Sangdovini said. The goal is to improve the accuracy of consumption monitoring, quickly identify unusual consumption patterns, reduce losses and help consumers better manage their gas use.