OREANDA-NEWS. Energijos Skirstymo Operatorius AB, identification code 304151376, registered office placed at Aguonu str. 24, Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania. The total number of registered ordinary shares issued by company is 894 630 333; ISIN code LT0000130023.

During 2015, the natural gas distribution company Lietuvos dujos significantly improved its performance indicators, the company's EBITDA and net profit were consistently increasing in view of decreasing operating costs. Furthermore, due to its active measures and the favourable situation in the natural gas market Lietuvos dujos increased the number of its customers and sales revenues.

As compared to 2014, the sales revenues of Lietuvos dujos in 2015 increased by 0.6 % to EUR 54.9 million. An important contributor to the increase of the corporate revenue were the reviewed distribution service prices that were adjusted according to gas consumption forecasts.

In 2015, Lietuvos dujos generated EUR 24 million in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation), 18.2 % up since 2014 when EBITDA was reported at EUR 20.3 million.

The net profit generated by Lietuvos dujos in 2015 from the gas distribution activity was 2.2 times larger than at the same time last year, and was recorded at EUR 12.9 million (in 2014, net profit from gas distribution operations was EUR 5.9 million). The performance indicators were improved mostly due to larger revenues and a reduction in costs.

In the course of the year the costs of Lietuvos dujos decreased by 17 % and accounted for EUR 41.3 million (EUR 49.8 million in 2014).

'The organisational and operational improvements implemented in Lietuvos dujos during 2015 are reflected in the performance of the Company – the increasing operational efficacy and the decreasing operational costs. Also, due to our proactive measures and the favourable situation in the market we managed to attract more new natural gas consumers who opt for natural gas due to its attractive price, convenient and efficient usage. While continuing our operations within the ESO we will continue improving our internal processes and will be looking for possibilities to further enhance our efficiency', says Liudas Liutkevi?ius, Chairman of the Board and the CEO of ESO.

The total investment of Lietuvos dujos accounted for EUR 14 million, or EUR 1.9 million, or 15.7 % more than in 2014, when Lietuvos dujos invested EUR 12.1 million. During 2015, the total investment increased due to a number of new customers accessing to the gas network, and, as a result, the growing volumes of the construction of new gas systems. During the period Lietuvos dujos also invested more in reliability projects, reconstruction and modernisation of the gas systems.

In 2015, nearly 4,100 new customers were connected to the distribution network of Lietuvos dujos, which is by 13.5 % more than last year.

During 2015, through its distribution pipelines Lietuvos dujos transported 6.8 TWh of natural gas, i.e. about 13.6 % less than last year. The gas distribution volumes mostly decreased in energy and industry companies due to unusually warm winter weather, and a decrease in the power production at heat and electricity production companies. Volumes of gas distribution to private customers and small businesses remained unchanged.

A new company Energijos skirstymo operatorius (ESO) established on the basis of a power supply and distribution company LESTO and natural gas distribution company Lietuvos dujos started its operations on 1 January 2016.