OREANDA-NEWS. September 16, 2011. Natural gas could soon fuel Macau’s public buses and support the new social housing projects, said energy regulator Arnaldo Santos.

“The relevant department in the Transport Bureau has started providing training to their staff in order to prepare them with the skills and knowledge in relation to this area,” said the Office for the Development of the Energy Sector (GDSE) coordinator, quoted by TDM News.
“Vehicle inspection is one of them. We believe the use of compressed natural gas in public transportation will happen soon,” Santos said on the sidelines of the “New Vision of Natural Gas’ seminar.

Several lawmakers had called for the introduction of greener buses as part of the new public bus system, which came into effect on August 1.

“Natural gas is a clean energy, influenced by low-carbon technology and inclined to protecting the environment, Petrochina Company vice-chairman Xie Dan told journalists.

“Natural gas is said to have a potential mass market in the future. It is also important in contributing to the country’s economic development and improves the region’s society and environment,” he added after the seminar.

The supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas from Hengqin Island to Macau is currently suspended until the end of the year as mainland Chinese authorities will undertake blasting work on roads on a small part of the island.

The government announced previously that it would spend MOP 120 million to “stabilise electricity tariffs” during the 190-day suspension period.

“Since 2000 Macau has introduced natural gas links to several constructions, including the latest affordable housing units. When there is natural gas supply we will be able to connect it to all the households,” said Arnaldo Santos.

The MSAR authorities are now working to set up natural gas supply to Taipa and the future University of Macau campus in Hengqin Island.

GDSE expects to sign a contract during the year with Nam Kwong, the conglomerate that owns all natural gas depots, to further promote the use of this fuel in the territory.
Sinosky Energy, a joint venture of Macau Natural Gas Co Ltd and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corp), was granted the franchise to import and deliver natural gas in Macau in late 2006.

But in a written enquiry released last month lawmaker Kwan Tsui Hang accused Sinosky Energy of putting aside a more than MOP 10 billion liquefied natural gas station project that was promised in the tender proposal.

She also claimed the company was still unable to sign a long-term natural gas supply agreement for the SAR, failing to “effectively protect the stability and quantity of natural gas supply to Macau”.