The Tender Committee of the Ministry of National Infrastructures, headed by the Ministry’s Director General Hezi Kugler, convened this evening (Monday) and chose “Negev Natural Gas” Group as the winner of the tender for distribution of natural gas in the Negev Region. The Group will establish the natural gas distribution system in the region and operate it over a span of 25 years. The major part of the system will already be ready in 4 years. The Committee added that “Super NG” Group, which also complied with the Committee’s conditions and was found competent, will act as substitute to the winner, if required. 

“The launch of a natural gas distribution system in the Negev is an important step in strengthening the shift of the Energy Economy in Israel to clean sources”, says Kugler. “In these days in particular, the strengthening of the Periphery and the Negev Region serves as an important contribution to growth. We are certain that consumers will enjoy the provisions that were approved by the State”.

In addition, the Tender Committee affirmed the competence of the contending group in the tender for gas distribution in the Center Region. The acceptance of its bid is subject to the approval of the Natural Gas Authority Council, which is planned to convene in about two weeks.

The establishment of a natural gas distribution network is a significant stage in the natural gas revolution that is led by the Minister of National Infrastructures Binyamin (Fuad) Ben Eliezer. The network will bring about extensive use of this clean energy source in other sectors of the economy as well – industrial, commercial and domestic – and it will serve as a substitute to the use of contaminating fuels such as diesel oil and fuel oil.