Government of Tamil Nadu signs pact to develop City Gas Distribution infrastructure in the State

Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific Company (AG&P), the global downstream gas and LNG logistics company, and the Government of Tamil Nadu today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks to supply reliable, economical, and environment-friendly natural gas across six districts of Tamil Nadu. The new, world-class CGD infrastructure is being developed under AG&P’s CGD brand in India - AG&P Pratham. The occasion was graced by Shri Thiru Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who unveiled AG&P’s PNG project in Rameshwaram and dedicated the State’s recently launched first City Gate Station & CNG Mother Station launched by AG&P in Ramanathapuram District. 

Under the MoU, AG&P will invest INR 2,700 crores over the next eight years to build CGD networks in districts of Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Vellore, Ranipet, Thirupathur and Ramanathapuram. The Government of Tamil Nadu is committed to provide support to enable development of the much-awaited CGD infrastructure, that will deliver uninterrupted supply of PNG to households, commercial and industrial customers, and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) depots and stations for 24/7 access to CNG for vehicles. 

AG&P Pratham’s PNG initiative in Rameshwaram, its natural gas Mother Station in Ramanathapuram along with two CNG stations, are spearheading the development of the State’s city gas infrastructure that will drive socio-economic development as more and more people transition to smarter and cleaner fuels.  

“We are honoured to collaborate with the Government of Tamil Nadu to develop city gas  infrastructure in the state, which will make the State truly self-reliant. We are on the cusp of an energy revolution and as one of the most dynamic regions in India, Tamil Nadu has tremendous opportunities for growth, development, and innovation in the CGD sector. With the Government’s continued support and sustained focus on infrastructure, we are providing Tamil Nadu’s regional and rural communities with reliable, 24/7 access to natural gas and all the health and economic benefits it offers. Furthermore, AG&P’s LNG import terminal in Karaikal (“KLNG”), strategically located 280 km south of Chennai and in close proximity to Tamil Nadu’s thriving manufacturing clusters, will also be a major contributor to Tamil Nadu’s transformation into a gas-based economy. KLNG will not only provide  access of natural gas to power plants, and industrial and commercial customers within a 300 km radius of Karaikal, but it will guarantee stable, best  priced natural gas supply to the region’s CGD networks including those operated by AG&P Pratham and other CGD companies”, said PPG Sarma , Managing Director – City Gas Distribution, AG&P.

In 2018, 12 out of 38 districts in Tamil Nadu were awarded licenses by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) for the development of CGD networks. Of these, AG&P bagged six districts encompassing  ~13751  square km, who will be connected to natural gas through 12,000 km of pipeline being laid by the company. Under the licenses, AG&P will sell natural gas exclusively for eight years and operate its CGD facilities exclusively for 25 years. By 2028, AG&P will be supplying PNG to 20 lakh households, 10,000 commercial establishments, 150 industrial enterprises such as SIPCOT, SIDCO and Mahindra World City, and will operate more than 200 CNG stations across the state.