{"id":15489,"date":"2025-09-18T09:02:33","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T09:02:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roydadnaft.ir\/English\/?p=15489"},"modified":"2025-09-18T09:02:33","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T09:02:33","slug":"irans-74-reliance-on-gas-sparks-energy-diversification-warning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roydadnaft.ir\/English\/15489\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran\u2019s 74% reliance on gas sparks energy diversification warning"},"content":{"rendered":"

RoydadNaft – <\/a><\/span>\u00a0Iran\u2019s reliance on natural gas for about 73% to 74% of its energy mix is unprecedented worldwide and poses long-term risks, the head of the National Iranian Gas Company said.<\/p>\n

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Saeid Tavakoli, the company\u2019s managing director and deputy oil minister for gas affairs, told state radio Tuesday, September 16, that nearly 80% to 83% of the country\u2019s power plants run on natural gas, compared with a global average of 20% to 23%.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese figures show that our energy basket lacks sufficient diversity, making gas the country\u2019s dominant energy supplier,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Tavakoli warned that heavy dependence brings unique threats, especially if gas supply disruptions occur. He said boosting renewable energy, expanding nuclear power, adopting alternative fuels, and improving plant efficiency are necessary steps toward reducing reliance.<\/p>\n

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China cited as model<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Tavakoli pointed to China as a leading example of diversification, noting that 50% to 60% of its energy comes from coal. China applies strict environmental controls to mitigate emissions, he said.<\/p>\n

Currently, 36% to 37% of Iran\u2019s gas output goes to industry, a similar share to power plants, while households account for about 25%. The rest is consumed by transportation and other sectors. Reducing power plants\u2019 reliance on gas, combined with renewable development and more efficient industrial equipment, would help rebalance the energy mix, he said.<\/p>\n

In households, about 70% to 80% of gas use is for heating. Tavakoli said better insulation, double-glazed windows, efficient systems and compliance with national building codes could free up capacity for other sectors.<\/p>\n

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Cheap energy fuels waste<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Tavakoli also raised concerns about \u201cvirtual gas\u201d embedded in exports of greenhouse products. He said domestic greenhouses use more energy than global benchmarks, and low fuel prices discourage efficiency.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is similar to the concept of virtual water, where a product is exported at the hidden cost of excessive consumption of cheap energy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The problem also extends to poultry farms, he said, where poorly designed facilities consume far more gas than standards allow. \u201cGiven limited resources, energy consumption must be efficient and directed toward the right uses,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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