With a target of cutting one billion cubic meters of consumption and covering more than 2 million subscribers, new capacity for issuing energy-saving certificates has been planned for the Iranian year 1405 (2026-27).

Role of operators in managing the imbalance

Ali-Asghar Rajabi said the imbalance arises when consumption rises, particularly in winter, when household and other sectors' demand reaches very high levels. If part of this consumption can be managed and the freed-up gas allocated to industry, it will naturally help reduce the imbalance. He explained that a operator aims to manage demand so that consumers still get the gas they need for heating and daily activity, while waste and unnecessary use are reduced and the saved gas is redirected to other sectors.

Two paths to closing the gap

Rajabi outlined two routes. The first is raising production at the start of the chain by developing fields and adding new gas capacity, such as new phases in the South Pars Special Zone. This requires time, investment, technology and infrastructure, and is slow. The second is demand management at the end of the chain, through projects such as gas operators. Demand management does not require heavy technology and investment, so results can come faster than with expanded production. Rather than waiting for output to grow, he said, existing capacity can be used better, allowing more productive sectors to use the gas.

87 type-two operators active in 29 provinces

Rajabi said about 87 type-two operator companies, whose goal is gas consumption optimization projects, have been approved. They have started work in 29 of Iran's 31 provinces and have signed 108 contracts in total. That number may grow, and more than one operator can operate in a single province. Of the 87 approved companies, 33 have so far entered the contract-signing stage, with plans that together aim to cut roughly one billion cubic meters of gas.

2.365m subscribers covered

The companies have planned consumption management and optimization projects across household, power plant and agricultural uses, as well as industries such as brick kilns, direct reduction and steel plants, bakeries, restaurants, mosques and public venues. Under the plans, about 2.365 million subscribers will be covered, and a significant share of the savings can be achieved on cold days, when gas use peaks. Rajabi noted that the project's importance goes beyond the annual volume: the timing of savings matters, since reduced use during peak periods helps manage the gas network. He added that this year is the first serious experience with such projects, and capacity is expected to grow in future years as operators gain experience.

Certificate issuance capacity for 1405

For the first time, the Oil Ministry's plan sets a specific capacity for issuing gas-saving certificates. It is about 5 million cubic meters per day in some months, and up to about 10 million cubic meters per day in months without peak consumption. NIGC can issue certificates up to this ceiling in proportion to the savings achieved. Certificates may be issued before, during or after the savings are realized, and the monthly details and implementation mechanism will be set within the Oil Ministry's programs. Rajabi stressed that this is a ceiling on certificate issuance at different points in the year, not a fixed annual savings figure for type-one and type-two operators.