The European Union has approved funding of EUR 10 million (USD 10.8 million) for the ECO-GATE project in order to develop the Natural Gas market for mobility. Gas Natural Fenosa will manage and coordinate the project, heading a consortium made up of natural gas operators, technology and service providers, end users and marketing and promotion knowledge experts in Spain, Portugal, France and Germany.

The project will involve the construction of more than 20 gas refuelling stations along the Atlantic and Mediterranean Corridors of the Spanish, French, German and Portuguese road networks.

The ECO-GATE project is a global action plan focused on developing mobility in Europe powered by Compressed (CNG) and Liquefied (LNG) natural gas.

Approved funding will be shared amongst all four countries. Spain will receive funding to construct gas refuelling stations in Barcelona, Burgos, Madrid, Murcia, Salamanca, Irún, Tordesillas, La Junquera, Cordoba and Cartagena, among other cities.

ECO-GATE will make the rapid and mass deployment of this alternative fuel possible, thanks to a significant reduction in the unit cost, as well as a better understanding and more in-depth knowledge of customers’ needs.

Funding from the European Union has been approved due to the project’s enormous contribution to the compliance of European Directive 94/2014, and to the development of Natural Gas Mobility in the market as an alternative fuel.

About the ECO-GATE consortium

ECO-GATE is run by a consortium of more than 20 businesses from Spain (24), Portugal (3), France (1) and Germany (1). Included are the following natural gas operators: Gas Natural Madrid, Enagas Transporte, Dourogás Natural, Endesa Energia, Agas Siglo XXI, Galp Energia, EDP, Repsol, Gas Natural Europe, Inversora Melofe and Molgas Energía.

About vehicular natural gas

Vehicular natural gas plays a fundamental role in sustainable mobility in order to achieve better air quality and comply with the environmental obligations that we must address as a country. Using natural gas for transportation energy reduces unhealthy air quality pollutants to “almost zero”, eliminating almost 100% of NO2 emissions and 96% of PM volatile particles, which are key factors in people’s health.

In addition, natural gas is a technologically competitive alternative fuel that has been widely used for decades and in various countries around the world.

Source: Gas Natural Fenosa