Primorye to be Linked up to Gas Supply

VLADIVOSTOK. February 3. VOSTOK-MEDIA – Primorsky Krai Gov. Sergei Darkin held a working meeting on the issues relating to the construction of the Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok gas transmission pipeline and provision of gas supply to Primorsky Krai. The representatives of Gazprom Invest Vostok submitted the construction progress report to the Governor, a spokesman for the Primorsky Krai Administration reports.

The construction of the gas transmission pipeline has begun in September, 2009. Completion of the construction is scheduled for Q42011. Facilities for holding 2012 APEC summit and accommodating visitors in the event, which are presently under construction on Russky Island and on the continent, are the first to be connected to gas network. The local thermal power plant will be also switched to gas.

In addition, the development of the master plan for installation of gas service and gas supplies to Primorsky Krai is well underway at present. The reference data for designing the installation of gas service has been collected and revised in the 34 municipalities of Primorsky Krai.

“We also plan to switch to gas boiler houses, private sector, and plants. Gas will be also available in new housing estates in Vladivostok and 500 settlements in Primorsky Krai,” stated Sergei Darkin.

However, experts say large apartment buildings will not be connected to natural gas, because it is impractical.

A spokesman for Gazprom Invest Vostok said the major portion of the gas pipeline construction works will be carried out in 2010. During this period, the company plans to construct not less than 500 km of pipelines. The volume of investments will amount to an estimated 74.7 million rubles.