The agreement will allow Sonorgás to expand its natural gas distribution networks to new areas located in the north of Portugal, improve the security of energy supply in the country and contribute to economic growth and job creation in the region.
The project will enable small, previously unserved municipalities located in the north of Portugal to gain access to the natural gas supply, employing more than 900 people during the implementation stage and creating 40 new permanent qualified posts. The agreement was made possible by the support of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).
The EFSI is the central pillar of the European Commission’s Investment Plan for Europe, the so-called “Juncker Plan”.
Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: “This deal will create jobs, give a boost to the local economy, increase energy security and benefit the environment.
“This is exactly what the Commission’s Investment Plan is about and Portugal has benefitted greatly since it was launched. Operations worth over 1.2 billion euros have already been approved in Portugal, which is expected to trigger around 4 billion euros in investments.”