08/01/2016 (Agence Europe) - EIB issues €160 million EFSI loan for extending gas network in Spain. On 22 December 2015, the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a loan of €160 million for the Sapnish gas grid manageement company, Redexis Gas. This EFSI (European Fund for Strategic Investsment) loan will finance Gas Natural Fenosa's investment programme over the period 2015-2018. This will involve the renewal, upgrading and expansion of natural gas transmission and distribution networks - including the construction of pipelines, distribution networks and liquefied natural gas plants - with the aim of increasing natural gas penetration in Spain, including in convergence regions. The loan will help implement part of Redexis Gas' investment programme to extend its long 8,500 km network across Spain's ten autonomous communities. (EH)