According to the fata, the average daily delivery of equivalent fuel (including gas, diesel, and mazut) to power plants from the start of the year to Dec. 9 reached about 285 million liters per day. This is up from an average of 278 million liters per day during the same period in 2023, representing an increase of nearly 2.5%. 

In the ninth month of the Iranian calendar (started November 21), equivalent fuel deliveries to power plants rose by approximately 6% compared to corresponding period of last year, increasing from 226 million liters per day to 239 million liters per day. 

This increase occurred despite lower average temperatures in 2024, according to the Iran Meteorological Organization. For example, the average temperature in the ninth month of the current Iranian year was 2.3 degrees Celsius lower than in related month of last year. 

This trend is notable because lower temperatures typically drive higher natural gas consumption in residential, commercial, and light industrial sectors.

In the eighth month of the current Iranian year, for instance, residential gas consumption rose by about 30%, reaching an average of 417 million cubic meters per day.

On December 9, residential gas consumption climbed to 609 million cubic meters, a 127-million-cubic-meter increase, largely attributed to colder weather. 

According to Shana, the Ministry of Oil is responsible for meeting the country’s energy needs, as emphasized by Minister of Oil Mohsen Paknejad. 

In a parliamentary session on November 26, Paknejad highlighted the ministry's responsibility to produce fuel for domestic consumption and export.

He noted that power plants, as one of the country’s largest energy consumers, must use diesel and mazut in addition to natural gas, particularly during colder months when residential demand surges. 

When residential gas consumption rises during the winter, less gas becomes available for other sectors, including power plants. To address this, the fuel mix for power plants is adjusted to include higher volumes of liquid fuels.