Kazakh parliament passes law on lean gas consumption, tighter industry regulationThe Senate, the upper house of Kazakhstan's parliament, approved on Thursday a bill introducing amendments to several legislative acts on gas supply and lean consumption of commercial gas, the Senate’s press service said.The bill was initiated by the Majilis, the lower house, and aims to encourage lean gas consumption, digitalization and transparent gas accounting, state regulation of gas distribution organizations, changes to pricing methods, and tighter oversight by the national gas operator over budget-funded gasification projects.Amendments are being made to the laws on state property, gas and gas supply, natural monopolies, and public procurement.In February, Majilis member Yedil Zhanbyrshin said that the country's gas resource base is estimated at 3.8 trillion cubic meters, with annual production of about 60 billion cubic meters and domestic consumption reaching 21.6 billion cubic meters. The coverage of domestic gas supply services stands at 64.2%."In recent years, we have seen intensive growth in gas consumption. On one hand, this is the result of gasification policy. On the other, it raises the urgent question of economical and responsible use of the resource," he said.The law empowers the national gas operator to approve design and cost estimates for budget-funded construction of facilities in the national gas supply system, according to Zhanbyrshin.Local executive bodies will be required to transfer free of charge to the national operator or its affiliate in which it holds more than 50% any gas supply facilities built with budget funds, including design documentation.The document also introduces regional gas consumption norms and a differentiated pricing approach for exceeding established limits. Similar practices already exist in water and electricity supply.A separate set of amendments addresses digitalization of gas accounting. Currently, meter readings from 2.1 million of 2.8 million subscribers are taken manually or submitted via messaging apps. The law calls for a gradual transition to meters with remote data transmission and the creation of a unified digital accounting system. Gas supply companies will cover the cost of replacing meters.According to Zhanbyrshin, the liquefied petroleum gas market faces a deficit: consumption reached 2 million tonnes in 2025 against production of 1.8 million tonnes.To stabilize the situation, the Energy Ministry will be authorized to approve the design of facilities using liquefied petroleum gas and to approve schedules for preventive maintenance.The bill has been sent to the head of state for signature. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX