Speaking at the opening meeting of the Strategic Committee for Regional Energy Trading on Sunday, ARF highlighted the importance of this goal as part of the broader government strategy.
ARF noted that, according to the seventh development plan for a period of five years (2024-28), the Islamic Republic of Iran must turn into a regional energy exchange center.
He stressed that the government is committed to following this goal with a design. The first meeting of the Strategic Committee for Trade in the field of regional energy was held to enhance this agenda.
He expressed his gratitude because the first meeting of the Committee was held under the current administration, adding that the establishment of a trust in the Ministry of Oil will guarantee regular meetings and make expert decisions in this field.
ARF also emphasized that the implementation of this plan can help treat energy imbalances, reduce the losses in the industry due to the lack of energy, and enhance Iran’s position in the regional energy market.
During the meeting, which was held in the office of the First Vice President with the participation of legal members in the Strategic Committee for Trade in the field of regional energy, Oil Minister Mohsen Bakkadad submitted a comprehensive report on energy exchange agreements with neighboring countries.
It shed light on the positive impact of these agreements on addressing the imbalances of natural gas in northern Iran, developing strategic cooperation with neighbors, and enhancing Iran’s position in the regional energy market. Baknjad described the implementation of this plan as very valuable to resolve energy imbalances in Iran and increase its impact on the regional energy market.
Under Article 44 of the seventh development plan for a period of five years, in line with the general policies of the plan, Iran aims to become a regional energy center. The goal is to achieve annual gas exports and imports of 40 billion cubic meters and 20 billion cubic meters, respectively.
In addition, the plan includes a swap of 200,000 barrels per day of oil products and raw oil from the countries of the Commonwealth of the states (CIS) and the exchange of at least 20 billion kilowatts per hour annually. The Strategic Energy Trading Committee was established within six months of the enactment of the law to oversee these efforts.
The committee is chaired by the president (or the first vice president in the absence of the president) and includes ministers of foreign affairs, oil and energy, in addition to a member of the Parliamentary Energy Committee as an observer.
The committee was assigned to formulate a regional road map for energy policy, identify the target countries to comply with Article 77 and 125 of the constitution, and to take decisions related to export and import contracts, energy swap services, gas, electricity, oil and petroleum products.
Mna/Shana.ir
