In an interview with NIPNA, Baghbani urged all parties involved to
comply with NPC’s arbitration ruling on settling the utility tariff disputes
from 2021 to 2024 and to reach a mutual agreement for 2025 pricing.
The long-standing dispute between Mobin and Zagros Petrochemical
Companies—mainly over oxygen delivery rates—led to legal proceedings and a
ruling by the Administrative Justice Court that challenged NPC’s ratified
tariff framework endorsed by the Competition Council. This situation disrupted
financial clarity and led to the suspension of these companies' trading symbols
on the stock market. The issue later extended to other stakeholders, including
Fajr Petrochemical Company.
Thanks to recent arbitration and multiple negotiation sessions, a
resolution has been achieved for the tariffs preceding 2025. However,
discussions for setting the 2025 rates are ongoing under the guidance of the
Competition Council, with stakeholders aiming to finalize an agreed framework
soon.
Baghbani highlighted the differing perspectives of producers and
consumers: while producers advocate for a rate reflecting their capital
investments, consumers prefer a cost-based pricing approach. He noted that both
viewpoints are defensible and should be examined with a focus on national
benefit.
The first coordination meeting was held on April 14, with the latest
proposal involving utility pricing linked to gas rates.
Baghbani concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity and
rejecting isolated decision-making. “We expect all industry players to shift
from fragmented thinking to a national outlook that prioritizes public interest
and avoids exacerbating tensions that could undermine public trust in the
petrochemical sector.”