The state-owned National Iranian Gas Company is pursuing the policy of increasing gas delivery to power plants with the goal of curbing pollutants and preserving the environment, the company’s director for gas supply said.
“Currently, 81 power plants out of 84 major ones meet their whole fuel demand through natural gas and we are prepared to supply gas to any new power plant,” Saeed Momeni was also quoted as saying by IRNA on Sunday.
Momeni noted that a total of 68 million cubic meters of gas were delivered to domestic power plants during the past fiscal year (ended March 20, 2018), which is 8 million cubic meters more than the volume of previous year, setting a record in this regard.
The official noted that NIGC has started supplying gas to about 5,000 villages and 54 cities in the past few days with a government credit line of 90 trillion rials (roughly $2.1 billion).
He underlined that 100% coverage for all Iranian cities and villages is not feasible due to the inaccessibility of some remote regions, adding that those areas will be provided with alternative fuels.
"Gas supply to all commercial, residential, industrial and power plant subscribers last year used 400,000 kilometers of networks and 37,000 kilometers of transmission lines without any interruption," Momeni said.
Gas Supply to Iraq
The gas pipeline that delivers the fuel to Iraq’s southern city of Basra is ready for launch in the border city of Shalamcheh in Khuzestan Province, Momeni said, adding that Iran is awaiting Iraq’s signal on its readiness to start gas supply.
The pipeline is part of Sixth Iran Gas Trunkline (IGAT-6) that is a major component of the national gas grid, which will have the capacity to transfer 110 million cubic meters of gas per day from South Pars Gas Field in the Persian Gulf to southern and western regions.
As Iran is currently exporting gas to Baghdad, the country will receive natural gas from Iran via two routes following the launch of Basra pipeline.
According to the official, gas export to Oman and the UAE is also being studied by NIGC and the National Iranian Oil Company.
