Peru's Cusco Regional Natural Gas Pipeline Project Enters Pre-Bidding Structuring Phase

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Werner Salcedo, Governor of the Cusco Region, stated that after the completion of relevant studies by Peru's Private Investment Promotion Agency (ProInversión), the regional natural gas pipeline project is advancing to the pre-bidding structuring phase.

Salcedo said after a meeting between the Ministry of Energy and Mines and regional governors that ProInversión has completed the relevant studies, and the project should now be in the structuring phase so that the works can be put out to tender and Cusco can have a regional natural gas pipeline.

The announcement of this progress comes as Cusco awaits the expansion of natural gas access through an addendum to the Seven-Region Natural Gas Massification Project. Salcedo explained that the region already has a satellite natural gas plant, and some households are currently benefiting through this mechanism.

He said that the existing satellite natural gas plant in Cusco has already benefited 5 households, and of the 1,000 households planned under the project, the remaining 995 are in the bidding process.

According to Salcedo, once the addendum is signed, coverage will also expand to more households, provinces, and provincial capitals in the region. However, he said the regional natural gas pipeline has broader coverage and aims to consolidate access to natural gas resources.

Salcedo also linked the project to the need to guarantee a more abundant national natural gas supply. He noted that at the meeting, in addition to the regional natural gas pipeline, the so-called Southern Natural Gas Pipeline was discussed, as well as the possibility of incorporating new blocks to increase available reserves.

He stated that Camisea's estimated lifespan is 13 years, while Peru needs energy security for the next 60, 80, or even 100 years.

The governor believes that increased natural gas supply will drive the industrialization process of the southern regions. Under his vision, combining oil and gas with metal mining can enhance the economic contribution of the southern regions.

He stated that if oil and gas are combined with metal mining, the southern regions alone could contribute 7.5% of GDP.

Salcedo also said that the development of extractive activities must be accompanied by environmental protection measures and regulation of illegal and informal operations.