CNG Stations Increase

The number of compressed natural gas stations has reached 2,400, the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company's director for CNG stations said. “Plans are in place to build 50 new CNG stations during the next Iranian year (starting March 21) with the help of the private sector, bringing the total number of stations to 2,450,” Hamid Qasemi was also quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency on Tuesday. Qasemi said CNG stations can supply over 2.74 million cubic meters of gas per hour and if the stations work 14 hours a day, daily supply capacity would be around 40 mcm. According to the official, to create incentives for the private sector to play a more active role in CNG ventures, the privately-owned station can charge customers 1,400 rials (0.04) per cubic meter, yet the state-owned stations charge customers 600 rials ($ 0.01) for the same amount. CNG is projected to comprise up to 35% of Iran's total fuel consumption by the end of the Sixth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2017-22).