Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 4 / Trend E. Ismayilov /
The number of new (potential) customers in the framework of gasification program of Georgian regions, implemented by SOCAR (the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan), is 185,000, a source in SOCAR told Trend on Friday.
"Implementation of gasification program continues and to date it has covered 185,000 potential customers, of which 90,000 are connected," the source said.
According to the source, until late 2013 the number of customers covered by the program is projected to reach 205,000.
According to the agreement signed with the Government of Georgia, SOCAR Georgia Gas has to gasify at least 150,000 new (potential) customers, and invest at least $40 million in the gasification process in the country. However, it was ascertained that investments will significantly surpass this amount. In particular, one of the reasons was the extension of the gasification program.
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. The list of gas distribution facilities was then increased. Earlier, all these facilities were eliminated and seven regional gas facilities were created under the management SOCAR.