Speaking at the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the NIGC and the Organization for the Renovation, Development and Equipping of Schools, Saeid Tavakoli said that despite all limitations related to sanctions, “around 850 million cubic meters of gas are injected into the national network daily.”

He said Iran’s energy use intensity is significantly higher than that of developed countries, adding that during the past 20 years, Iran has had the greatest increase in energy use intensity among 172 countries. “While advanced countries such as Norway have managed to reduce their energy consumption, Iran continues to show extremely high and excessive energy use,” he said.

Raising Awareness Among Students

Tavakoli pointed to efforts to raise awareness among students and teachers, noting that programs to educate them on optimal gas and energy consumption have been implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education since last year. He said these programs help students understand the concept of efficient energy use from an early age and apply it in their daily behavior.

He described improving boiler room efficiency and replacing outdated systems in schools with high-efficiency options as among the most important steps to reduce national energy consumption. These measures, he said, could significantly curb energy use in schools and serve as a positive model for other sectors.

Tavakoli also highlighted the need to reshape attitudes toward energy use, especially in agriculture. He noted a recent visit by the minister of agriculture and the governor of East Azerbaijan Province to a greenhouse, where they questioned why greenhouses rely heavily on gas to produce agricultural products.

Virtual Transfer of Gas to Other Countries

Tavakoli, who also serves as a deputy oil minister, said Russia — the world’s second-largest gas producer — imports agricultural products despite its vast gas resources and water shortages. “This means gas and water are virtually being transferred to other countries, while in Iran we mistakenly increase gas consumption to produce agricultural goods,” he said.

He also urged compliance with national building regulations in school construction, emphasizing that new schools should be built in accordance with national building codes, particularly Chapter 19, which focuses on energy efficiency.

“This not only helps optimize energy consumption in schools but also sets an example for other construction projects across the country,” he said.

Capacity for Smart Systems

Tavakoli cited existing potential for smart systems in schools, noting that under an Economic Council resolution, there is capacity to install 100,000 smart boiler rooms. He added that this number is not the limit, and with current mechanisms, smart systems can be implemented more widely in schools and educational buildings.

He called for continued cooperation in the field, saying the aim is to use existing capacities to create fundamental changes in the country’s educational infrastructure. “We ask for your support in this process. Today’s agreement marks the beginning of this cooperation, and we hope it will lead to measurable improvements in energy use and management in schools and educational centers,” he said.

The cooperation agreement between the NIGC and the Organization for the Renovation, Development and Equipping of Schools, aimed at improving energy efficiency in schools, was signed Monday by Tavakoli, deputy oil minister for gas affairs, and Hamidreza Khan-Mohammadi, deputy education minister and head of the Schools Renovation Organization.