The natural gas distribution system operator Lietuvos Dujos operated by state-owned Lietuvos Energija group has connected a foreign manufacturing company which is being newly set up in Panevėžys free economic zone (FEZ) to the gas network three-times faster than usually - in three months. The new branch which is 1.2 km long was installed in Panevėžys FEZ even faster - just in two months. It will allow to attract of even more investors. The investment in the new pipeline made by Panevėžys municipality amounts to EUR 101,000.
"In successful cooperation with Panevėžys city municipality, contractors and a new gas consumer we have installed a pipeline in a record-breaking period of time. This a perfect and true example of how an appropriate response to business needs and the concentration of effort and capabilities can lead to the creation of favourable conditions for business to invest in one of the regions of Lithuania, to create new jobs, and use the available infrastructure. We plan to continue communication with other municipalities and to look for synergy to reduce obstacles business challenges while attempting to establish in Lithuania,' Liudas Liutkevičius, CEO of Lietuvos Dujos, said.
The pipeline built near Panevėžys FEZ will shortly reach Devold, UAB, a Norwegian capital textile producer investing in the FEZ. According to the investor, both the municipality and Lietuvos Dujos actively organised the process of connecting to the pipeline and installed the pipeline very fast. The company which will use gas for its technological needs has already acquired the required technologies designed to use natural gas.
According to a representative of Panevėžys city municipality, the goal to live up to the expectations of a big investor to install a pipeline timely, encouraged the municipality to give the priority to the implementation of this project. "The success of the project was largely determined by the human factor: understanding the importance of the matter, let us immediately to start handling all the documents provided by Lietuvos Dujos for the pipeline project, and to do that in the shortest time possible. The territory in which the installation of the pipeline was planned was not built-up. Moreover, benevolence and mutual cooperation helped prepare and coordinate the project faster. All required permits were obtained in a particularly short period of time. As a result, Lietuvos Dujos together with its contractors could immediately start construction works. The implementation of this project has improved the situation in Panevėžys for new businesses and investors to set up,' Tomas Jukna, Administration Director of Panevėžys city municipality, said.
Presently a possibility to install a pipeline in the territory of Tauragė municipality is considered where one of the dairy product market leaders in Lithuania, namely, Vilkyškių Pieninė is planning to develop its business and use natural gas in its production line. Following the implementation of this investment project, Tauragė would be connected to the gas distribution network of Lietuvos Dujos. This could enable other businesses as well as residents of Tauragė to use natural gas.
Upon the receipt of a request from a prospective consumer to connect it to the natural gas system, Lietuvos Dujos starts preparing a project on investments in the development of gas sector, drafts the agreement on connection, organises designing and construction works of a pipeline to be connected to the borderline of a land plot. Most documents are coordinated with the municipality and other institutions. Then the consumer installs a gas system within the land plot and premises and orders the supply of gas. Most often the process of connecting a user to the gas system takes half a year due to long terms and procedures provided for in the law. The construction of a pipeline is only a small constituent part of this process. Lietuvos Dujos endeavours to facilitate the process of connecting a new consumer to the gas network and to shorten the average duration of connection.
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