Aref: Energy shortages will be resolved with ongoing measures
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref said that the imbalance in gas and electricity supply would be addressed through ongoing measures and initiatives.
Speaking at a meeting with the Isfahan Province’s parliamentary delegation on Tuesday, he also emphasized that managing water consumption requires serious determination and public awareness, according to fvpresident.ir.
Aref stated that plans to transfer water from the Oman Sea to central Iran are being pursued vigorously to address the region’s drinking, health, and agricultural water issues.
He added that alongside these infrastructure projects, fostering a culture of water conservation and gaining the public’s trust in the government’s management of water consumption are key solutions to the water crisis.
Aref further highlighted that water usage in highly water-rich countries like Germany averages 140 liters per person per day, while in Iran the figure stands at 270 liters per day.
He noted that some large industrial projects were built in central Iran without considering land-use planning, and that water-intensive industries should have been located near seas or areas with abundant water resources.
This narrow focus in the past contributed to the current water crisis in the central regions, the top official criticized.
Regarding efforts to meet the province’s electricity needs, Aref referred to the private sector’s role in launching the second phase of the combined-cycle power plant and the solar power plant at Mobarakeh Steel Company.
He noted that the government has extensive plans for generating 30,000 megawatts of solar power.
Approval of oilfield projects
Also, speaking at the ninth session of the Economic Council on Monday, Aref underscored the government’s commitment to utilizing the capabilities of technology-based companies.
He said, “Breaking the country’s reliance on foreign technologies is only possible through leveraging the resources of technology-based companies and academic and research centers. Past experience has shown these entities excel across various fields.”
During the session, three major oilfield development projects on Azadegan, Azar, and Masjed Soleyman were also approved.
These projects involve a total direct investment of $12 billion, with funding sources identified.
The long-term contracts are expected to generate approximately $140 billion in revenue for the country, with significant contributions from domestic and tech-based companies.
The development plan for the shared Azadegan oilfield, the country’s largest oil project, aims to enhance recovery, boost production, and optimize operations. The project, proposed by the Oil Ministry, targets cumulative additional production of approximately 1.765 billion barrels over three years and has received approval from the Economic Council.
Furthermore, another project following the same goal for the Azar joint oilfield was approved. This $1 billion investment aims to add 177 million barrels of oil to national production capacity over a 20-year contract.
The development and operation of the northern wing of the Masjed Soleyman oilfield, with a $257 million investment, were also approved. This project targets an additional 21 million barrels of oil over a 20-year period.