30/06/2017 (Agence Europe) – The European Investment Bank announced on Friday 30 June that it had granted a €29 million loan to support the investment programme of Portuguese gas company Sonorgás aimed at expanding its natural gas distribution networks to new areas in northern Portugal. The agreement, supported by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), will enable small, previously unserved municipalities in northern Portugal to gain access to the natural gas supply and replace polluting energies such as fossil fuel-based electricity and liquefied petroleum gas. The EIB support will contribute to the construction of 220 kilometres of new distribution pipelines and 19 liquefied natural gas storage stations. The project is expected to employ more than 900 people during the implementation stage and Sonorgás expects 40 new permanent posts to be created for skilled workers. (EH)