According to NIGC, Saeed Tavakoli said Saturday during the third virtual coordination meeting on winter fuel supply with provincial gas company directors that these achievements demonstrate the country’s strong readiness to handle the upcoming winter. He noted that the gas savings certificate plan and the replacement of high-efficiency heaters—approved by the Supreme Economic Council—were implemented this year to improve energy efficiency and reduce gas consumption.

Tavakoli described the new household gas consumption model as a fair and comprehensive approach to consumption management. “Fair pricing and effective consumption control are possible only through precise monitoring of subscribers, data analysis, and cooperation with service companies,” he said.

New Gas Tariff Model Aims to Ensure Social Equity

The NIGC chief thanked staff working in technical, cultural, and IT areas, adding that based on October billing data, 94% of residential units paid less than 50,000 tomans in gas charges—showing the effectiveness of the first and second-tier pricing levels. He said the new gas consumption model was designed to promote social equity, ensuring that high-consuming households pay in proportion to their actual usage.

Referring to a recent Cabinet resolution, Tavakoli said the decision goes beyond tariff adjustments and includes eight key provisions, such as energy management in government buildings. “This shows that the government is leading by example in energy optimization and putting the principle of fairness into practice,” he added.

He emphasized that about 10% of the country’s residential customers are from the first and second income deciles and are covered by the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation or the Welfare Organization, with their gas bills set at zero for the lowest consumption tier. “The main goal of this plan is to support low-income groups while managing consumption among heavy users,” he said.

Transparency and Confidence in Domestic Capabilities Essential

The deputy oil minister for gas affairs cited remarks by the Leader that today’s conflicts are not imposed wars but complex hybrid ones. “We are in the midst of a hybrid war—one fought on economic, media, moral, narrative, and social fronts,” Tavakoli said. “Only through unity, transparency, and confidence in domestic capabilities can we emerge successfully.”

He called on colleagues to present facts and achievements accurately, stressing that NIGC has reached a level of maturity and self-reliance in consumption management, gas storage, and stable energy supply. “With teamwork and reliance on our domestic strength, we can ensure a calm and steady winter for the people,” he concluded.