Majid Boujarzadeh stated that energy imbalance is a national challenge that cannot be resolved by the efforts of a single ministry or company alone.

Boujarzadeh, speaking at a specialized session titled "The Role of Public Relations in Managing Energy Imbalance" during the 10th Public Relations and Industry Conference on Saturday, addressed the country’s challenges in energy imbalance.

He stressed the critical role of public relations in promoting awareness and managing consumption, noting that energy imbalance is one of the most significant challenges facing the nation, with far-reaching consequences. He emphasized the need for implementing policies at a national level to reduce gas imbalance.

Boujarzadeh pointed out that public awareness about the necessity of managing energy consumption has not yet been fully established.

He said that many people still believe that, due to the country’s vast gas reserves, this resource is inexhaustible and should be used without limits.

This mindset has led to serious challenges, even though professionals in the oil and energy sectors have been working on this issue for years. However, public cooperation in modifying consumption patterns remains insufficient.

The officisl stressed that energy imbalance is a national issue that extends beyond a single company or ministry, and all sectors of the country must contribute to managing energy effectively.

High gas consumption: a serious challenge

Boujarzadeh highlighted Iran’s high gas consumption, noting that on a recent holiday in February, domestic gas consumption reached over 681 million cubic meters per day, a figure significantly higher than that of many other countries.

He attributed this primarily to the imbalance between production and consumption, where consumption has consistently outpaced production. He lamented the lack of necessary management in recent years, which has led to challenges in both industrial and domestic sectors.

He also pointed out that inadequate oversight in equipment manufacturing and the lack of updates in power plants have contributed to increased consumption. A significant portion of the equipment used by households and industries is inefficient, and outdated power plant equipment has led to higher energy waste.

Boujarzadeh mentioned efforts made in recent years to optimize consumption, noting that increased gas production has helped manage the imbalance to some extent. For example, gas production this year has risen by more than 30 million cubic meters per day.

The "2 Degrees Less" Campaign

Boujarzadeh emphasized that sustainable and effective energy consumption management depends on public awareness and changing societal beliefs.

He stated that public relations institutions, particularly in energy-related ministries, play a key role in informing and educating the public. Unfortunately, this issue has not yet been adequately recognized as a national priority.

He referenced the "2 Degrees Less" campaign launched this year, which aimed to reduce consumption during a critical period when temperatures dropped and gas usage surged.

The results showed that reducing home temperatures by just 2 to 3 degrees led to a daily gas consumption decrease of 25 million cubic meters.

On the night the campaign was implemented, gas consumption dropped to 670 million cubic meters per day, a significant reduction compared to initial forecasts. This demonstrated that public awareness and participation have a direct impact on energy consumption management.

Boujarzadeh concluded that proper communication, building public trust, and promoting a culture of optimal consumption can help the country overcome the energy imbalance crisis and create better conditions for the future.