Speaking in a televised interview on Thursday, Pezeshkian outlined the
government’s economic reform agenda, identifying clean energy development,
changes to the subsidy system and management reform as three main pillars of
its strategy. He said the reform process had begun and would continue despite
economic constraints and sanctions.
Pezeshkian said the government inherited a severe energy imbalance,
with fuel reserves of about 1.2 billion liters and concerns that supplies would
last only until November. Shortages of natural gas also threatened electricity
generation and winter heating, he said.
The government has since worked to strengthen power plants and expand
solar generation. About 7,000 megawatts of solar capacity has now been brought
online, according to Pezeshkian, who said the government plans to expand
clean-energy capacity beyond the 12,000 megawatts targeted under the country’s
five-year development plan.
The government had initially planned to build 30,000 megawatts of
solar capacity but was unable to meet that target because of challenges
including the recent conflict, Pezeshkian said.
Iran is seeking to reduce its dependence on fuel for power generation
while addressing both energy shortages and air pollution, he said.
The president also said power plants had come under attack during the
conflict, while the country faced a daily natural-gas shortfall of about 230
million cubic meters. Despite those challenges, electricity outages were
limited, he said, adding that the government was working to avoid cutting power
to industrial facilities and workshops.
Planning is also underway for the winter, when Iran is expected to
face a similar daily gas deficit, Pezeshkian said.
The government’s energy strategy is closely linked to broader plans to
overhaul subsidies. Pezeshkian said existing subsidies for electricity, gas,
water and other forms of energy disproportionately benefit higher-income
households, making reform necessary to direct public resources toward those
most in need.
“We have to carry out reforms,” Pezeshkian said, arguing that delays
in addressing imbalances in water, electricity, gas and fuel would only make
the eventual adjustment more difficult.
He acknowledged that sanctions remain a major constraint on the
economy, particularly by limiting oil sales and reducing the country’s access
to foreign currency. The government, he said, must find ways to minimize the
impact rather than expect all economic problems to be resolved.
Pezeshkian said the broader objective of the reforms was to improve
economic efficiency and ensure that public funds are distributed more
equitably, while reducing waste and rent-seeking.