Title: Iran Approves Comprehensive National Energy Plan to Modernize Transport and Secure Fuel Supply
In a significant move to overhaul the nation’s energy landscape, the Iranian Cabinet has approved a comprehensive plan for the supply and allocation of energy carriers within the country’s transport network. The decision, made in the month of Shahrivar, marks a strategic step towards enhancing energy security and optimizing the national fuel basket.
A Multi-Pronged Strategy for Energy Security
Developed through the collaborative efforts of the Plan and Budget Organization and key ministries including Oil, Interior, Industry, Mine and Trade, as well as environmental and standard institutions, the plan is designed to address several critical national objectives. Its core mandates include eliminating gasoline imbalances, diversifying the country’s fuel portfolio, and implementing provisions of the 2017 Clean Air Law and passive defense protocols.
The strategy emphasizes a shift towards non-pricing policies to ensure a stable fuel supply for the transportation sector. Key pillars of the plan involve optimizing the mix of passenger and freight transport, setting qualitative and quantitative standards for the national fuel basket, and regulating the production and import of various vehicle classes, from light-duty cars to heavy trucks and motorcycles.
Modernization and Efficiency at the Forefront
Further measures outlined in the program focus on the modernization and productivity enhancement of the national transport fleet. This includes initiatives to combat fuel smuggling through improved distribution systems, the gradual electrification of vehicles, and the phased correction of energy carrier prices. The distribution of standard-grade fuel is also highlighted as a key component in the national effort to reduce air pollution.
Expert Endorsement and Operational Realities
Commenting on the recently issued resolution, Reza Navaz, a spokesperson for the fuel station owners’ union, acknowledged its technical soundness. “The resolution has been developed strategically and in stages with the participation of all relevant bodies,” Navaz stated, adding that a timeline for implementing its various clauses has been clearly defined.
However, Navaz also pointed to existing operational challenges. He explained that current pricing structures for diesel and gasoline result in accumulated losses for both the government and private sector stakeholders. He emphasized that a newly proposed measure to transparently separate station commissions and transport costs is not a price hike but a move towards financial clarity. “This separation is merely a transparency measure so that if the price of gasoline or diesel is adjusted in the future, each sector’s share is clear from the outset,” Navaz clarified.
A Collaborative Path Forward
The government’s stated goal is to create a transparent system that clearly defines the role and share of each sector in the energy supply chain. Navaz expressed optimism about the plan’s potential, stating, “The successful implementation of this resolution can simultaneously guarantee the interests of the people, the fuel stations, and the transport sector.” He concluded that with the cooperation of all relevant institutions and precise expert input, these national objectives are within reach.