Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 26 / corr Trend E.Ismayilov /
The SOCAR Energy Georgia (subsidiary of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic) put into operation a gas-distributing network in the Georgian Akhmeta region, SOCAR Energy Georgia said.
The number of potential subscribers of the new gas network in Akhmeta (11 streets) is 1,000.
Earlier, construction of gas pipelines in the Georgian villages Yol-Mughanli (Sagarejo region), Chumleki (Gurjaani Region) and Ninigori (Lagodekhi Region) were also completed, as well as the distribution network was put into operation in the Dusheti region.
On Dec. 26, SOCAR and the Georgian Government signed an agreement to operate 30 gas supply grids and gas distribution networks in the Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Shida and Kvemo Kartli, Ajaria, Guria, Imereti, Samegrelo regions of Georgia. These networks are operated by 24 companies.
In April, SOCAR Energy Georgia acquired a gas distribution network in the Marneuli region, which is populated by Azerbaijanis. Marneuli has 31 gas supply grids operated by SOCAR Georgia.
SOCAR plans to invest 48 million lari (over $28.5 million) for the first year of a three-year program on gasification and reconstruction of distribution networks of Georgia. These funds will be spent for construction gas-distribution network with total length of 800 kilometers.
At present gas distributing networks under the possession of SOCAR Georgia Gas consume approximately 80-90 million cubic meters a year. Under the three-year program the company plans to increase number of subscribers from 60,000 to 150,000 in total. Following increase in number of consumers demand for these networks will double as minimum.