The investment made by the GAS NATURAL FENOSA distribution subsidiary will enable almost 300 new kilometres of network and 46,424 new supply points to be added in Catalonia.

  • The multinational energy firm invested 279 million euros in gas distribution activity in Spain in 2013. Of this figure 67 million was allocated to Catalonia.

GAS NATURAL FENOSA, through its distribution company, Gas Natural Distribución, will invest 70 million euros in 2014 in Catalonia and plans to provide gas supplies to 14 new municipalities, according to a statement in a press conference today by the Director of the eastern region of the company's distribution subsidiary, Juan Manuel Belda. Also present at the conference were the Director of the company's gas network management company, Andrés Membrillo, and the Director of gas promotion, Alfredo Ingelmo.

Of the total planned investment, 61 million euros is to be allocated to bringing supplies to new customers and new areas, and the remaining 9 million to the maintenance and operation of the current distribution network.

Over 2014 the company will provide supplies to the following municipalities: in the province of Barcelona, to Sant Quintí de Mediona, Sant Llorenç d'Hortons, Sant Llorenç Savall, Ullastrell, Prats de Lluçanès, Sant Miquel de Balenyà and Fogars de la Selva; in the province of Girona, to Empuriabrava and Santa Margarida; in the province of Tarragona, to La Sénia and L'Ampolla; and in the province of Lleida, to Corbins, Torrelameu and Castellnou de Seana.

Investment and Expansion in 2013

Through its distributor, GAS NATURAL FENOSA has made investments worth 279 million euros in gas distribution activity in Spain during 2013. Of this figure, 67 has been earmarked for Catalonia. These investments were mainly made in the construction of new networks and improvements to current infrastructure.

The aforementioned improvements include increasing the capacity of the existing distribution and strengthening infrastructure, in order to improve the guarantee of supply in areas where service already exists and to efficiently cover the growing demand.

The investments made by the company has enabled it to achieve 40,889 new supply points in Catalonia, to reach a total of 2.16 million at the end of last year. The transport and distribution network increased by over 260 kilometres in 2013 and now exceeds 16,800 kilometres.

Over the previous year, the company reached the municipalities of l'Ametlla de Mar, Falset, Masquefa, Hostalets de Pierola, Baga, Begues, Santa Eugènia de Berga, Rialp, Albatàrrec, Tarrés, l'Espluga Calba and the Maçanet Residencial Park development of the Maçanet de la Selva area. It has continued to extend the gas network in all the municipalities that already have a supply.

Sales of gas regulated activity in Catalonia represented 54,489 GWh in 2003.

Additionally, the energy company has made a major sales effort to promote connection to the service among potential customers who were in a position to have a supply but had not yet contracted it.

Gas Key for Economic Revitalisation and Industrial Competitiveness

Gas distribution activity continues to play a key role in industrial competitiveness and in economic revitalisation. The gas sector, currently representing 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.

Gas plays a major role in terms of industrial competitiveness, enabling industries of all types to make savings on their energy bills and to contribute to reducing greenhouse gases through low emissions. Thus, for example, an industry with an average consumption of 2,000 MWh/year would save 48% annually compared to using other energies such as diesel. Homes with an average consumption of 15 MWh/year could save up to 625 euros/year in their energy bills with natural gas.

Gas distribution in turn revitalises local installation companies under non-discriminatory criteria. This applies to all companies, irrespective of their turnover or business activity. Thus, during 2013 Gas Natural Distribución signed 835 Public Tender contracts with 713 partner companies in Catalonia during the expansion phase, reaching a total of 818 sales agents.

Leading Energy Company in Catalonia and Spain

Gas Natural Fenosa distributes natural gas to 360 municipalities in Catalonia through its distribution company Gas Natural Distribución. The penetration rate (supply points divided by the total number of households in Catalonia) is 54%. This is higher than the 27% average for Spain, thanks to the company's investment effort over the last twenty years, during which it has invested 1.4 billion euros in increasing and improving its gas distribution activities.

The company and the Government of Catalonia signed an agreement in September 2011 to expand and improve energy infrastructure in Catalonia, undertaking a commitment to allocate 338 million euros to the end of 2014. As part of this agreement, the company has extended the gas supply to a total of 15 new Catalan municipalities.

With respect to the rest of Spain, the company currently has 5.17 million supply points and a natural gas network of 47,678 kilometres. In 2013, the company will invest 324 million euros in gas distribution in Spain and plans to achieve a total of 5.24 million supply points.

Barcelona, 28 January 2014.

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