• The power company plans to invest approximately 30 million euros on the island to offer a gas supply to a total of 20 towns.
  • Through its distribution companies, Gas Natural Fenosa is the leading natural gas distribution group in Spain.It currently has over 5.2 million supply points and 48,900 kilometres of network all over the country. In 2014, it invested 335 million euros in the construction and maintenance of gas infrastructure.

Earlier today, the Chairman of Gas Natural Distribución, José María Gil Aizpuru, presented the power company's plan to invest in gas infrastructure on the island of Menorca to the President of the Regional Government of the Balearic Islands, José Ramón Bauzá, after winning the tender opened by the regional government a few weeks ago. During the course of the meeting, the Director for New Towns and Infrastructure of Gas Natural Distribución, Juan Manuel Belda, explained how the project would proceed.

The meeting, which took place at the offices of the Island Council of Menorca, was also attended by the Council Chairman, Santiago Tadeo, the Mayor of Mahón, Águeda Reynés, and other representatives from local authorities and financial and business entities on the island.

The project designed by Gas Natural Distribución to expand the gas network in Menorca includes a total of 20 towns in the municipalities of Alaior, Ciutadella, Es Castell, Es Migjorn, Ferreries, Maó, Es Mercadal and Sant Lluís.

Menorca gas infrastructure development project awarded to Gas Natural Distribución

None of the gas distribution companies forming part of GAS NATURAL FENOSA previously operated in this autonomous region so Gas Natural Distribución submitted various projects towards the end of last year that would enable the region's population to enjoy this source of energy - especially in those new areas where the natural gas network has yet to be developed, which is precisely the case in Menorca.

According to the project submitted by the company, Gas Natural Distribución will invest close to 30 million euros to bring the gas network to various towns in the eight municipalities on the island, as well as the industrial estates and main tourism hubs (Son Bou, Cala en Porter, Cala'n Bosch, Sa Caleta-Santandria-Cala Blanca, Cala'n Blanes, Sant Tomas, Cala Galdana, Sant Climent, Fornells, Coves Noves, S'Algar and Binibeca).

The project provides for three distribution zones taking gas from modular storage centres located in Maó, Ciutadella and Es Mercadal. The design of the gas infrastructure plan thus prioritises speed in the rollout of the network via these modern, efficient and flexible plants that will enable service to be provided to a total of 55,876 homes on the island of Menorca.

Gas: key to the economic revitalisation and industrial competitiveness of Menorca

Development of the island's gas network will improve energy infrastructure in the various municipalities, providing a more competitive source of energy to homes, businesses and industries. Implementation of the gas infrastructure project will provide an economic boost to companies already operating on the island and will enable the creation of new jobs - both directly and indirectly - in pipe laying, installation and sales activities, among others.

Gas distribution activity continues to play a key role in industrial competitiveness and economic revitalisation. The gas sector, which accounts for 0.5% of GDP in Spain, generates around 150,000 jobs across the value chain, from transport and distribution to the provision of services to end customers.

A commitment to the Balearic Islands

The commitment from Gas Natural Distribución includes an investment of up to 42 million euros between now and 2020 to supply natural gas to more than 25 municipalities in other parts of the Balearic Islands, enabling it to initially serve more than 120,000 potential customers

Besides the eight municipalities in Menorca, the company has submitted gas supply licensing projects in other towns, including Alcúdia - Port d'Alcúdia - Platja d'Alcúdia, Capdepera-Cala Rajada, Pollença-Port de Pollença, Muro, Sóller i Port de Sóller on the Island of Majorca.

Gas distribution leaders in Spain

Through its distribution companies, Gas Natural Fenosa is the leading natural gas distribution group in Spain. It currently has over 5.2 million supply points and 48,900 kilometres of distribution network in the 10 autonomous regions where it operates.

Through its distribution subsidiaries, the multinational power company invested 335 million euros in 2014, a 20% increase. This money was mainly spent on building new networks and improving major infrastructures. The company will invest approximately 1.24 billion euros between 2015 and 2017 to add a total of 730,000 new supply points, which will provide service to close to 2.8 million new users. At the end of this three-year period, the regional distribution companies of GAS NATURAL FENOSA will be providing their services to over six million supply points in Spain.

The company's growth in the coming years will be supported by a workforce of over 1,500 people, as well as the 2,000 partner companies that work in all the regions where it operates.

Barcelona, 23 March 2015.

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