INOGATE & Energy security

The efficiency of energy transportation plays an important role in the national security of any given country to power its economic engine. Energy transportation must be efficient and technically effective. Within the gas sector, INOGATE Partner Countries are concerned about the level of technical and non-technical losses in the transportation of gas, particularly in its distribution. In the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, the level of technical and non-technical losses is maintained at levels approaching the EU average; however, the situation in Central Asia is almost out of control. It is estimated that in certain countries technical and non-technical losses amount to 20 to 25% of total gas transmitted. Non-technical losses are most often caused by the non-payment of bills, theft and inadequate metering and billing.

The largest technical losses occur on borders in gas metering and compressor stations. In the distribution network, they are due to prolonged underinvestment and failure to upgrade and maintain the network.

All INOGATE Partner Countries are interested in the best practice methodologies and technologies used in the EU for measuring, detecting and reducing gas losses. INOGATE helps disseminate and showcase these technologies. Another key area of INOGATE support is helping increase the capacity of Partner Countries’ gas company personnel in areas such as pipeline construction supervision, assessment of pipelines, risk assessment, proper operation of metering stations, etc. INOGATE addresses specific country requests for assistance in the installation of meters and pressure regulators in the distribution sector as well as the installation and operation of software packages for the control of flows and the balance of supply and demand.

INOGATE addresses other energy security aspects such as diversifying the fuel mix with renewables, facilitating investments for new or upgraded energy infrastructure, supporting the developing of competitive energy markets able to attract needed private investments and advocating the energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy.