Mohammad Rashidi said one of the country’s key energy challenges
remains the gap between production and consumption, particularly during periods
of peak demand for natural gas and electricity. He pointed to the “Nabz-e
Energy” campaign as an example of how public engagement can contribute to
managing energy demand without requiring substantial government expenditure.
According to Rashidi, sustained implementation of such initiatives
through structured and measurable mechanisms could support their inclusion in
long-term development plans, national policy frameworks, and annual budget
programs.
He emphasized that industrial facilities remain a cornerstone of the
national economy and that ensuring reliable energy supply for productive
sectors should remain a priority. Measures that reduce consumption in
non-productive areas and make additional energy available to manufacturing and
industrial operations can contribute to broader economic objectives, he said.
Rashidi also highlighted the importance of incentive-based policies in
energy management. He noted that pricing mechanisms alone may not be sufficient
to address consumption challenges and that incentives, public awareness
efforts, and equipment modernization programs can generate more durable
results.
The lawmaker identified the replacement of aging household and
industrial equipment as one of the country’s most significant opportunities for
reducing energy consumption. He said financing mechanisms that facilitate the
adoption of energy-efficient technologies could help alleviate existing
supply-demand imbalances while increasing participation from consumers and
producers.
According to Rashidi, strengthening the economic benefits associated
with energy savings can further encourage participation and support the
achievement of national efficiency objectives at a lower overall cost.