Saeed Tavakoli, CEO of the NIGC, said on Monday that on Jan. 25, gas
consumption in residential and commercial sectors hit 737 million cubic meters,
a level previously projected only for 2029. This represents 85% of total gas
injected into the network, marking a historic peak for the country’s gas
industry.
“Last year, peak consumption reached 703 million cubic meters. Thanks
to full network preparedness, we avoided any household supply cuts despite the
new record,” Tavakoli said. He emphasized that the only sustainable approach to
preserving the network amid rising costs is optimizing consumption and
improving energy efficiency.
The company also highlighted the role of 35 certified “Karvar”
companies, which act as intermediaries between the gas operator and end users.
Karvars monitor and verify energy savings and can convert saved gas into
tradable “energy saving certificates” on the exchange, providing both economic
incentives and efficiency gains.
Tavakoli noted that during peak cold periods, a shortfall of around
300 million cubic meters is managed by prioritizing residential supply while
other sectors switch to alternative fuels, ensuring system stability.
The National Gas Company reported that, prior to the winter season,
1.5 billion cubic meters more gas was delivered to steel and petrochemical
industries and 3.2 billion cubic meters more to power plants compared with the
same period last year. In December, daily deliveries to power plants reached a
record 170 million cubic meters.
“Winter supply disruptions have not occurred anywhere in the country,”
Tavakoli said. “Even in remote areas, only minor pressure drops were observed.
Coordination between the Ministries of Oil and Energy ensures uninterrupted
electricity production while maintaining household gas flow.”