Five companies to compete in Turkey’s first lira-based gas distribution tenders

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

REUTERS photo

Five companies will compete in Turkey’s first Turkish lira-based natural gas tender, according to officials from the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK). 

The first tender was held for the distribution of gas in the Doğubeyazıt district of the eastern province of Ağrı yesterday, and the second is expected to be held for the province of Tunceli in eastern Turkey later this week. 

Aksa Doğalgaz Dağıtım, Fernas İnşaat, Akmercan Turizm, Siirt Batman Doğalgaz Dağıtım and Alöz Mühendislik are the five companies to compete in the tender, which are slated to be held this week. 

The companies which make the lowest bid in value are slated to win the project and have a 30-year license.
 
Late yesterday, Aksa was announced to have won the first tender as it gave the lowest price. 

The EPDK announced early December that it would hold gas distribution tenders in liras rather than dollars, after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan urged everyone to keep savings and make transactions in liras rather than foreign currencies. Many institutions voiced support to his call. 

Some 78 of Turkey’s 81 provinces will be offered natural gas after the new tenders are finalized. The EPDK plans to reach out to all 81 provinces by completing the planned tenders for the provinces of Artvin, Şırnak and Hakkari.