Omid Shakeri, Deputy Minister of Petroleum for Engineering, Research,
and Technology, said at a joint ministry session on solar power development
that the fourteenth government has prioritized simultaneous investment in
renewable energy and optimization of existing infrastructure. “The excessive
reliance on gas over the past decade has contributed to the current energy
imbalance. While Iran is the world’s third-largest gas producer, consumption
has outpaced production,” Shakeri noted.
He highlighted that thermal power plants now consume more than 94
billion cubic meters of gas annually, up from 63 billion in 2012, equivalent to
the output of four South Pars phases. The mismatch between supply and demand has
created significant challenges, especially with declining pressure in South
Pars, which supplies roughly 70% of the country’s gas.
“If supply and demand are not managed simultaneously, the imbalance
could exceed 300 million cubic meters per day at peak consumption, forcing the
government to divert revenue from development and public welfare to energy
imports,” Shakeri warned.
Shakeri also criticized the low efficiency of thermal power plants,
which operate at 39% efficiency compared to the 45% target, causing daily gas
overconsumption of about 32 million cubic meters.
The deputy minister outlined the government’s renewable energy plans,
including the addition of 12,000 MW of renewable capacity under the Seventh
Development Plan. The oil and gas sector is spearheading solar power projects,
with the private-led petrochemical industry planning 5,000 MW, and the National
Gas, Refining, and Oil Companies also executing projects totaling several
hundred MW.
Shakeri emphasized that by coordinating across government bodies,
private industry, and the public, solar energy development can play a key role
in reducing energy imbalance and diversifying Iran’s energy mix.