What are the causes of energy imbalance in Iran?

According to Energy Press, energy imbalance is a situation in which the demand and supply of energy in a country or region is not balanced and the demand is greater than the supply of energy. This phenomenon can be formed for various reasons, which include economic, infrastructural, political and natural factors. In Iran, energy imbalance is one of the basic challenges and a multifaceted phenomenon that arises for various reasons.
Mansour Moazzami, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pension, Savings and Welfare Fund of Oil Industry Employees, in a conversation with Shana reporter, pointed out that the improper structure of energy supply and distribution and dependence on fossil energies are among the main causes of energy imbalance and said: high consumption and wastage Energy due to worn-out systems, inefficient distribution networks and old buildings and facilities also causes a large part of the produced energy to be wasted. This issue can contribute to the formation of disharmony.
He added: One of the main reasons for the increase in demand for energy in Iran is population growth and economic development. Especially in recent years, the need for energy in the domestic, industrial, agricultural and transportation sectors has increased dramatically.
The former deputy of planning and supervision of hydrocarbon resources of the Ministry of Oil continued: International sanctions against Iran have also caused problems in the import and export of energy. These sanctions have affected the provision of raw materials, technological equipment and foreign investments, and as a result, Iran has faced problems in energy production, transmission and distribution. Therefore, it is necessary for this government, which came to work with the slogan of lifting sanctions, to take serious steps to solve this problem.
You can read the details of this conversation below.
What are the causes of energy imbalance in Iran and what are its consequences?
Among the reasons for the formation of energy imbalance are “increasing energy demand”, “unsuitable structure of energy supply and distribution”, “sanctions and economic problems”, “weak management and policy”, “fluctuations in energy production” and “political and security crises”. pointed out
One of the main reasons for the increase in demand for energy in Iran is population growth and economic development. Especially in recent years, the need for energy in the domestic, industrial, agricultural and transportation sectors has increased dramatically.
On the other hand, in Iran, due to weather conditions (extreme heat in summer and extreme cold in winter), energy consumption has increased, especially in the domestic sector, and this consumption is mostly due to the use of fossil energy for cooling and heating.
On the other hand, in recent years, governments had to supply gas to cities and villages that were not necessary to satisfy the representatives, which has also caused an increase in household gas consumption.
The share of renewable energies in Iran’s energy portfolio is very small, which casts a shadow on the energy imbalance. Is there any action to correct this process?
Also, the improper structure of energy supply and distribution and dependence on fossil energies are among the main causes of energy imbalance. A major part of energy supply in Iran depends on fossil fuels (oil and natural gas). This dependence causes changes in prices, production fluctuations and even crises (such as sanctions) to have a great impact on energy supply, which can be seen in the issue of importing gas from Turkmenistan or Russia.
High consumption and waste of energy due to worn-out systems, inefficient distribution networks and old buildings and facilities also cause a large part of the produced energy to be wasted. This issue can contribute to the formation of disharmony.
Another major problem of our country is that a major part of energy production in Iran is limited to oil and gas, and less attention has been paid to renewable sources (such as solar, wind, and hydro energy). Therefore, if we had an optimal energy portfolio, we could use energy We should use more electricity and solar energy to compensate part of the energy imbalance.
In recent years, Iran has faced increasing sanctions on its oil and gas industry. Do these sanctions also affect the energy imbalance?
Sanctions have generally affected the country’s economy in all sectors. Also, international sanctions against Iran have caused problems in the import and export of energy. These sanctions have affected the provision of raw materials, technological equipment and foreign investments, and as a result, Iran has faced problems in energy production, transmission and distribution. Therefore, it is necessary to take a serious step to solve this problem.
Iran can cooperate with other countries in the field of transferring new energy technologies and developing joint energy projects. These collaborations, especially in the field of production and distribution of renewable energy and optimization of energy consumption, can help reduce the imbalance. Sanctions should be removed, we can more easily move towards international interactions within the framework of global standards and in sync with our own values.
What do you think is the most important problem to optimize energy consumption?
Economic crises and inflation have affected the country’s financial ability to invest in the energy sector, and for this reason, Iran faces challenges in providing financial resources to expand energy infrastructure and invest in new projects.