Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

SOCAR Georgia Gaz have completely fulfilled its obligations under the previously signed contract with the Georgian government, Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze said according to the letter received from the company at a meeting with parliamentary minority held on Thursday.

"This company last year acquired Itera-Georgia, which also involved into the gasification process of Georgian regions," Kaladze said.

Kaladze said earlier that Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR will continue gasification of Georgia in 2013. Some 30,000 people will be provided with gas this year.

SOCAR and the Georgian government signed an agreement to transfer control of 30 gas distribution facilities and gas distribution networks covering such regions of Georgia as Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Shida and Kvemo Kartli, Adjara, Guria, Imereti, Samegrelo on December 26, 2008. The list of gas distribution facilities was then increased. Earlier, all these facilities were eliminated and seven regional gas facilities were created under the management SOCAR.

Furthermore, at the meeting with parliamentary minority, Kaladze noted that the Georgian government is establishing a state-owned company, which will complete the process of gasification of the country's regions.

"The company will be established within a month, and we will continue the process of gasification, which will be completed by the end of 2015," Kaladze said.

According to Kaladze, prior to the Oct.1 election the local authorities have begun gasification at their own expense; however, the process is not completed.

Kaladze also said that over 1 million people in Georgia will be supplied with gas by the end of the project.

"All of Georgia may not be gasified due to various reasons, even natural. Thus, those regions not supplied with gas, will be provided with alternative fuel," he said.