Iranian private sector to build 1000 CNG stations
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 27
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iranian Oil Ministry has agreed on building 1000 CNG (Compressed natural gas) stations by the country's private sector, managing director of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) Mostafa Kashkouli said, Iranian Jahanesanat newspaper reported on Jan. 27.
The administration plans to increase the private sector's participation in establishment of CNG stations, he said.
On the other hand, the CNG station holders in Iran have been faced problems due to low prices.
Each cubic meter of CNG is sold at $0.125(some 3100 rials based on official rate of 24,838 rials per each USD) in CNG stations.
CNG station holders are supplied $0.016 for each cubic meter of CNG, Kashkouli said adding that the administration plans to increase the figure by 200 percent.
In September, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that some 150 CNG stations have been closed due to low prices. This is while the expansion of CNG stations has been promoted in the country to curb the consumption of gasoline.
The Iranian administration plans to raise CNG prices in the next Iranian calendar year (starting on March 21).
Two price scenarios have been presented for the CNG price for next year. In the first scenario, the CNG price will reach 5,000 rials, while in the second scenario the price will rise to 7,000 rials.
The number of compressed natural gas filling stations in the country stands at some 1980 for the being time.
