OREANDA-NEWS. December 26, 2012. The Gazprom headquarters hosted a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company's Management Committee, and Alexander Khudilainen, Head of the Republic of Karelia.

The parties have discussed the course of implementation of the Agreement on Cooperation. In particular, matters concerned provision of gas supply to the republic. It was pointed out that the procedure of coordination of the joint program of development of gas supply and gas service in the region through to 2016 is currently in progress. Simultaneously with implementation of this program Gazprom plans to launch reconstruction of a number of objects of heat power engineering within the territory of regions of North Ladoga lakeside.

"Our meeting with Alexey Miller was rather efficient. We've managed to work out the issue regarding the beginning of construction of objects of heat power engineering in 2013 in Olonets, Sortavala and Lahdenpohja regions, i.e. from Lodeinoye Pole in Leningrad Region up to Olonets in Karelia. The program of development of gas supply and gas service in the Republic of Karelia in 2012–2015 coordinated with Gazprom was mentioned quite often. Now I can say that its first phase includes start-up of seven liquid-fuel-burning boiler-houses in Olonets region. It will happen next year. The boiler-houses will be fully-automatic. We're going to launch the construction in spring," — Alexander Khudilainen said.

Issues of gas service development in the region were also considered during the meeting. Gazprom intends to enhance productivity of Kondopoga delivery point, that will enhance reliability of gas supply to consumers in Kondopoga region of the republic. Besides, the project of construction of Olonets delivery point and the Volkhov-Petrozavodsk gas pipeline branch undergoes state expert review. Commissioning will make it possible to start provision of gas supply to Olonets, and in the long view to Pitkaranta and Sortavala regions of Karelia.

Alexander Khudilainen has especially noted that provision of gas supply to the republic is a necessary condition of comfortable life of the citizens and an important point for mobilization of investments in the economy of Karelia.

"Next year within the scope of cooperation between the Republic of Karelia and Gazprom construction of 21 sports objects will be completed as well. Every region will have a new sports center that, first of all, will be intended for physical development of our children and improvement of their health," — Head of the republic added.