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Gas infrastructure companies GRTgaz (France) and Swedegas (Sweden) have joined an initiative comprising Gasunie (The Netherlands), Energinet.dk (Denmark) and Fluxys Belgium (Belgium) to deliver a carbon neutral gas supply by 2050. The project includes the plan to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel to the maritime industry.

GRTgaz and Swedegas joined the Dutch-Danish-Belgian initiative during Gas Week 2013 - an event that focuses on the natural gas sector in Europe.

In signing the joint commitment, the companies agree to work together across borders in order to exchange knowledge and best practice on ways to develop a 100% carbon-neutral gas supply by 2050, in line with the EU energy and climate goals.

Key areas of cooperation are:

* Gas and LNG as fuel for road and maritime transport.
* Power to gas technologies and hydrogen transmission.
* Green gas (on the basis of biogas and gasification of biomass) and development of green certificates.

The joint initiative is an open platform that welcomes all gas infrastructure companies committed to making a significant effort to developing a sustainable gas supply.

The five parties will arrange a number of joint seminars that will bring experts together from each company in order to further identify the potential for exchanging know-how on the initiatives that will lead to a 100% carbon-neutral gas supply by 2050.

Philippe Boucly, CEO of GRTgaz stated: "Gas infrastructure has a key role to play to support the energy transition and the development of renewable energy. The current French energy transition debate is an opportunity to increase political and public awareness of the benefits of gas and the role of the gas infrastructure in a low carbon economy. We see a clear potential in ensuring that we exchange ideas and knowledge with our partners."

Lars Gustafsson, CEO of Swedegas commented: "Signing the Green Gas Commitment is in line with our sustainable investments for the future. We aim to find synergies between our existing gas grid and new technologies such as Power to Gas. We also see this commitment as a possibility to stimulate large scale production and distribution of biogas through a wider European collaboration."

Walter Peeraer, CEO of Fluxys Belgium stated: "We are delighted to include GRTgaz and Swedegas as strong partners in our cooperation. We have taken upon ourselves to develop a 100% carbon-neutral gas supply by 2050. This is a huge task, and cooperation across borders will help to ensure that we learn from each other and for each of us to find the path that is best suited to our market."

Paul van Gelder, CEO of Gasunie remarked: "Natural gas is the ideal partner of renewable energy. Gas and gas infrastructure have unique properties to maintain the balance between the energy consumption patterns on the one hand and the volatile, unpredictable supply of renewable energy sources on the other. Moreover, relatively clean gas contributes to achieving European climate goals."

Peder Østermark Andreasen, CEO of Energinet.dk commented: "We are committed to develop a green energy infrastructure. And the best and most efficient way to do this is through European cooperation. This is why we value this partnership."