OREANDA-NEWS. President of the European bank of reconstruction and development Suma Chakrabarti and the Chairman of the board of directors of JSC “KazTransGas” Kairat Sharipbayev have signed in Astana the agreement on financing several projects in the gas industry. According to the signed documents, the EBRD allocates for the implementation of two projects of JSC “KazTransGas” 294 million euros.

Means will be allocated for reconstruction and capital repair of the underground gas storage “Bozoy” with the goal of providing its reliable, safe and continuous operation.

Additional storage volumes will help to provide necessary energy reserve for new export routes and will become a solid basis for reliable operation of the main gas pipeline “Beineu-Bozoy-Shymkent”.

Within the framework of the second project EBRD will allocate 52 million euros to JSC “KazTransGas Aimak” for implementation of the projects on modernization, reconstruction and new construction of gas distribution networks of the settlements in Mangistau and Atyrau regions.

On the allocated means in these regions, reconstruction of old and construction of new gas distribution networks, will increase the coverage of consumers of natural gas to 12 thousand users. Furthermore, the implementation of the project and transfer of the main industrial facilities of the region into eco-friendly fuel will expand production, increase employment and improve the environmental situation.

During the signing the loan agreements, the EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti said: “We are consistently working with Kazakhstan on developing the mechanisms of “Green” economy, but the transition to cleaner sources of energy allows achieving immediate effect. Gas is a cleaner source of energy compared to coal and can complement renewable energy. We are glad to start cooperation with the company KazTransGas and to continue our close partnership with Kazakhstan, making these important steps towards sustainable economy of the future”.

Chairman of the board of directors of JSC KazTransGas Kairat Sharipbayev mentioned, that “given agreement contributes to complete the tasks set by the President N.Nazarbayev for the gas industry.

- Today we have the most modern gas pipeline system and hold a leading place in the Central Asian region, as for the length of the main gas pipelines and main transit of natural gas. All the new projects aimed at ensuring energy security and efficient use of transit opportunities of our country. Just last year, “KazTransGas” implemented two large scale projects – commissioning of the third route of the main gas pipeline “Kazakhstan-China” and gas pipeline “Beineu-Bozoy-Shymkent”. The work done confirms the well-earned trust of major partners, so in the future it is possible to have other joint projects with EBRD. Even as we speak there is a discussion of new opportunities for investment and technical cooperation in the field of energy efficiency” – said Kairat Sharipbayev.