VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski said that the process of building a national gas distribution network, initiated by his Government, is proceeding with excellent pace, with three inter-city pipelines being built.
The combined length of the lines currently being built is 200 kilometers and the investment amounts to 80 million EUR.
"This is a major investment that will bring great benefits to companies and individuals in the cities being connected. Work is on-going with great speed and, in the mid term, the project provides that the lines are extended throughout the country", Gruevski said at a press event on Sunday.
After connecting Stip to the existing pipeline network, the lines currently being built include Stip - Negotino, Negotino - Prilep - Bitola and Skopje - Tetovo - Gostivar.
Gruevski added that a number of companies are interested in building the secondary gas supply networks, that will connect households and industrial zones to the inter-city lines. Natural gas is expected to provide a clean and cheap alternative to using wood for heating during the wintertime, which is the main cause of air pollution in the country.