Speaking at the 23rd Domestic Winter Fuel Coordination Meeting on Tuesday, held via videoconference with national and provincial gas company executives, Tavakoli stressed that only through coordinated measures and cooperation can the country overcome its current energy challenges.

Tavakoli praised the effective management of provincial governors in collaborating with gas company executives to ensure gas delivery to industries and various sectors. However, he cautioned that winter is not yet over, and some industries continue to face restrictions. While the situation has not significantly worsened compared to previous years, prolonged cold weather and high consumption density have created challenges.

Strong performance by provincial gas companies

Addressing the executives of provincial gas companies, Tavakoli urged them to continue their work with precision, honesty, and sincerity. He assured them that their efforts would not go unnoticed, commending their performance so far and expressing confidence in their continued success.

The managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) noted that some government offices still fail to adhere to proper energy consumption patterns. While the numerical impact may seem minor, he emphasized that behavioral change in energy use is crucial for long-term improvement.

Tavakoli highlighted that all government entities now recognize that energy imbalances are not a recent issue but have roots in past years. He stressed the need to focus on the future and plan for enhancing the country’s gas resources.

Focus on consumption management

The meeting focused on sustaining consumption management and avoiding incorrect comparisons of gas allocation among provinces. Tavakoli clarified that gas distribution to industries is based on the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade’s directives, with the primary goal of supporting industrial towns.

Tavakoli identified the collection of outstanding payments as a critical issue in managing gas resources. He urged provincial executives to closely monitor their companies’ performance and take action to recover debts, warning that poor financial management would hinder the company’s overall effectiveness.

Shifts in energy resources

Tavakoli noted that changes in energy resource allocation are natural and reflect the importance of optimizing national resources.

He highlighted coal as a key fossil fuel globally and urged greater attention to Iran’s coal reserves and mines.

In closing, Tavakoli reiterated the challenges posed by reduced liquidity and the need to define new projects. He emphasized that managing liquidity effectively is critical during the winter months, when consumption peaks, to prevent further complications.