In the past 12 years, Iran’s consumption of compressed natural gas has witnessed a 53-fold increase, the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company’s director for CNG stations said on Tuesday.
“Some 12 years ago, the nation’s daily CNG consumption stood at 380,000 cubic meters, but with the development of infrastructures such as CNG stations, it reached 20 million cubic meters a day by the end of the last Iranian year [ended March 19, 2016],” Amir Vakilzadeh was also quoted as saying by ISNA.
According to the official, a trial plan to use CNG in vehicles fuel was started in the 1977-78 in the city of Shiraz, but its comprehensive plan was launched in 2003-4, as Iran tried to capitalize on its huge gas reserves. The country’s CNG consumption is projected to constitute up to 35% of the national fuel basket by the end of the sixth five-year development plan (2016-21).
Vakilzadeh added that in this period, the Persian Gulf country has taken long steps in the CNG industry, including the construction of more than 2,300 CNG stations for providing clean fuel to 3.5 million CNG-fueled vehicles.
CNG vehicles typically have 20% less greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline-powered cars. Vakilzadeh noted that indigenizing CNG equipments and parts by receiving state-of-the-art technology is a significant measure taken by private companies.
"Iran currently produces CNG equipments such as compressor, dryer, dispenser, nozzle and smart control board," he said.
Most of the country’s CNG stations have been established by the private sector. The official stressed that the country upgraded 619 CNG stations to match national standards last year.
Vakilzadeh also said about 50 CNG stations are planned to go on stream in 24 zones in the current Iranian year.
