SOCAR's natural gas initiative powers Bulgaria's schools and childcare centres PHOTO

The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), in collaboration with M-Gas, has begun supplying natural gas to social consumers in Bulgaria's Ruse province.

The "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" Primary School is the main beneficiary of the "Hybrid Gasification" pilot project, which is being jointly implemented by SOCAR, M-Gas, and the Municipality of Ruse, Caliber.Az reports.

As part of this initiative, SOCAR will ensure a reliable supply of natural gas to meet the school’s energy needs.

The completion of the compressed natural gas (CNG) station at the school was celebrated during a ceremony attended by Murad Heydarov, head of SOCAR's Balkans Regional Office, Ruse Mayor Pencho Milkov, and Stoyan Manolov, Manager of M-Gas Ltd.

This project marks the continuation of a productive partnership between SOCAR and M-Gas, which began in June 2024 with the supply of natural gas to industrial enterprises in Bulgaria.

In the coming months, ten additional schools and kindergartens in the Ruse region are set to receive natural gas from SOCAR. This initiative will help reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for the local community.

SOCAR, which currently accounts for 50% of Bulgaria’s gas consumption, aims to increase its share of the domestic gas distribution market to around 7.5%.

The company is also committed to supporting Bulgaria's climate protection strategy by contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions. This includes transitioning several municipalities from traditional energy sources such as fuel oil, lignite, and diesel to more environmentally friendly natural gas.

By Tamilla Hasanova