Only one in ten potential consumers in remote villages can afford gas connection, as costs rise up to 3,000 euro, so authorities need to come up with additional measures to help people in these areas become natural gas users, said Eric Stab, general manager of Engie Romania.

One of the priorities of the competent authorities is, during this period, the extension of the networks and the access of as many Romanians as possible to the gas resources. „This is a key issue. We are well aware of the authorities’ desire to expand their gas networks in isolated areas, but what are the problems we face? First of all, you need to install pipelines and then make sure that consumers can connect. If not, there is no benefit for anyone, consumers or gas companies. I’m talking about financial issues, that they cannot pay for gas,” Stab said, quoted by Agerpres.

According to him, the costs of expanding the network in isolated areas are significant and increase with the length of the pipeline. „So there is a need for accompanying measures, such as the attraction of European money, or the proposal by ANRE to use the money coming from the 2% contribution of the turnover for these works. This is a good idea. We will see how it will be implemented, and then gas distributors will come with their investment,” said Engie’s CEO.