As autumn sets in across Iran, the national power company, Tavanir, has issued a stark warning about impending gas shortages, urging citizens to conserve energy in the months leading up to winter. In a statement released earlier this week, Tavanir highlighted the increasing consumption of natural gas, particularly in the northern regions of the country, where colder temperatures have already begun driving up demand.
Tavanir emphasized the critical importance of managing energy use, noting that the majority of Iran’s electricity is generated through natural gas-powered thermal plants. The company underscored that maintaining a stable fuel supply for these plants is crucial to avoid disruptions in electricity production. “Ensuring a continuous supply of energy is essential, and it relies heavily on citizens’ cooperation in reducing their consumption of both electricity and gas,” the statement read.
The onset of colder weather typically sees a surge in gas use, both for heating and electricity generation. While Iran is one of the largest producers of natural gas globally, it faces chronic shortages due to a combination of factors including underinvestment in gas infrastructure and outdated technologies. Despite the country’s vast reserves, the supply-demand gap is growing, with production failing to keep up with rising consumption.
This issue has been exacerbated by declining output from the South Pars gas field, which accounts for approximately 75% of Iran’s total gas production. The field has experienced reduced pressure, and without the necessary investment in new fields or the maintenance of existing ones, the country’s gas output has dwindled. This situation has already led to a significant impact on industries, as factories and petrochemical complexes are often the first to face gas supply cuts during peak demand.
Can #Iran’s Regime Solve Its Gas Crisis?https://t.co/SFWBhQ9Ury
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) October 23, 2023
Iran’s gas shortage is not a new problem. A 2021 report from the Iranian Parliament’s Research Center indicated that during the coldest months of the year, the country faced a daily gas shortfall of 227 million cubic meters, with this figure climbing to 315 million cubic meters in February. As of September 2024, the daily gas supply deficit has reached 373 million cubic meters, a figure that is expected to worsen without significant changes in place.
In its latest update, Tavanir emphasized the urgent need for citizens to reduce gas and electricity consumption, particularly in residential areas, to help manage the rising demand. The company noted that securing sufficient fuel supplies for power plants remains a priority, with the Ministry of Oil playing a key role. However, persistent issues such as the growing demand for gas, lack of new investments in infrastructure, and limited technological advancements have constrained the country’s ability to meet energy needs.
Amid these shortages, citizens have been feeling the effects firsthand, with rolling blackouts in some regions and uncertainty about whether the government can sustain energy supplies through the winter. In an effort to curb public panic, Tavanir has called on Iranians to be mindful of their energy use and avoid wastage, especially during the cold months ahead.
Tavanir’s recent call for energy conservation amid gas shortages reveals a common practice by the Iranian regime: blaming consumers instead of addressing systemic issues. Despite being the third-largest natural gas producer globally, the regime often shifts responsibility to the public, urging them to reduce consumption rather than implementing meaningful changes in energy policy.
Gas Shortage Cause Havoc in Poverty-Stricken #Iran
The gas shortage in the poverty-stricken Sistan and Baluchestan province, south-west Iran, has caused incredible problems for the people there, with many having to line up for hours in order to fill up…https://t.co/bsx7Q35l63 pic.twitter.com/2LVrnmqL05— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 3, 2018
A report from IRNA on August 17, 2022, highlighted the Iranian regime’s pride in maintaining gas exports to neighboring countries, even during the cold winter. The regime boasted of “fulfilling its international obligations” without domestic gas cuts and increasing oil revenues.
Similarly, in a report from the regime’s official news agency on June 6, 2023, Tehran reflected its ambitions of becoming a regional gas hub, engaging in gas swaps with countries like Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. This focus on international gas trade, while leaving domestic infrastructure underdeveloped, exacerbates internal shortages during high-demand periods. Despite this, the regime repeatedly blames consumers for excessive gas use, diverting attention from its failure to invest adequately in the sector.
This duplicity exposes the regime’s approach: promoting its international achievements while neglecting internal needs, and using the public as a scapegoat for its mismanagement.
