Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 12 /Trend, E.Ismayilov/
SOCAR Georgia Gas, a subsidiary of SOCAR Energy Georgia (which represents the interests of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan in Georgia) and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia have signed an agreement to extend for another year the three-year program on gasification of Georgia's regions, a source at SOCAR Energy Georgia told Trend on Wednesday.
According to the contract signed with the Georgian government, SOCAR Georgia Gas must gasify at least 150,000 new (potential) customers and invest in gasification of the country at least $ 40 million. However, it was revealed that investments will exceed this amount. Earlier, about 150,000 new subscribers were planned to be covered within the three-year program.
This number will be increased to 170,000 after its prolongation.
According to the source, $77 million has already been invested within the three-year program of gasification. "Extending the program would require additional investments," said the source, without naming any specific figures.
The gasification program includes 30 towns and over 100 villages.
SOCAR and the Georgian government signed an agreement to transfer control of 30 gas distribution facilities and gas distribution networks covering such regions of Georgia as Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Shida and Kvemo Kartli, Adjara, Guria, Imereti, Samegrelo on December 26, 2008. These networks were exploited by 24 companies.
SOCAR Energy Georgia also received gas distribution networks of the Georgian district of Marneuli for using in April 2009. Marneuli is densely populated by Azerbaijanis.