Saeid Tavakoli, speaking on Sunday during a visit to the Tehran Provincial Gas Company in a joint meeting with headquarters and company managers, noted that the issue of energy imbalance is not a recent development and that there are two approaches to addressing it.

The first approach involves blaming individuals and shifting responsibility without conducting a proper root cause analysis, which is emotional and ineffective. The second approach involves identifying the root causes, evaluating the problems and challenges, and defining actionable solutions through a well-thought-out strategy.

He added that progress and agility require identifying tasks that should not be undertaken as they do not add value. A good manager, he said, knows not only what to do but also what not to do. Instead of merely being productive, managers should focus on being analytical, testing plans in a controlled environment before implementation.

The deputy minister of oil for gas affairs stressed that colleagues should be aware of the Tehran Provincial Gas Company’s mission and services, as this awareness helps avoid cognitive errors in strategy formulation.

Referring to this year’s extreme weather conditions, Tavakoli noted that the challenges of the past six months were equivalent to those of six years. This year’s cold season was exceptionally harsh, with prolonged and intense low temperatures, and overcoming these challenges was only possible through scientific, committed, and dedicated efforts.

He highlighted the importance of the President and the Minister of Petroleum’s logical, scientific, and technical perspectives in resolving the country’s energy issues, stating that he personally witnessed their wisdom and problem-solving abilities in several meetings.

Regarding human resources, the Managing Director of the National Iranian Gas Company said that expectations between the company and its workforce should not be one-sided. Instead, there should be a mutual relationship where the company’s expectations from its human capital are also considered.

Tavakoli emphasized that the National Iranian Gas Company is the most important energy supply organization in the country, and working in this transparent and healthy environment should be a source of pride. Delivering proper services and honest actions align with strengthening national loyalty, a principle that all company managers and colleagues should keep in mind.

During his visit to the reinforcement section of the Tehran Provincial Gas Company, he stressed the importance of tangible and practical actions over abstract statistics. He called for cohesive planning to streamline software designed for this sector and data analysis to develop an appropriate execution plan.

Effective measures

Alireza Avani, Managing Director of the Tehran Provincial Gas Company, provided a report on measures taken during the cold season. He stated that, given this year’s severe winter conditions, extensive efforts were made to stabilize the provincial gas network, including consumption monitoring and public awareness campaigns across the province.

He noted that 60 three-member teams were coordinated with full support from headquarters colleagues, and productive meetings were held with provincial officials and the National Crisis Management Organization. This coordination led to effective collaboration, ensuring gas supply with minimal disruptions.

Avani highlighted the company’s achievements in gas supply, stating that the number of subscribers in Tehran Province has reached 4 million, making it the province with the highest number of gas subscribers in the country.

He added that all human resources challenges have been thoroughly reviewed, and fundamental measures are underway. Significant organizational changes have also been implemented, setting a positive outlook for the company over the next two decades.