Lima, Peru – Peru's Minister of Energy and Mines, Jorge Montero Cornejo, has outlined his plans to accelerate the expansion of natural gas infrastructure and exploration in the country. The minister emphasized the importance of increasing domestic gas supply to reduce energy costs and attract foreign investment.

In a recent interview, Montero highlighted two key private sector initiatives aimed at expanding natural gas distribution. Cálidda, the current concessionaire for Lima and Callao, is proposing to extend its network to seven additional regions, providing cleaner and more affordable energy. Additionally, Transportadora de Gas del Perú (TGP) is planning to bring natural gas to Arequipa and establish the region as a distribution hub for southern Peru.

Montero also met with TGP representatives to discuss the possibility of complementing the company's project with a new initiative to transport natural gas from Moquegua to Cusco.

The minister stressed the need to increase Peru's natural gas reserves through exploration, arguing that this would ensure a stable supply of energy at lower costs and attract new investment. He also expressed his vision for a petrochemical industry in southern Peru, leveraging the country's growing natural gas reserves to produce fertilizers, urea, and other essential products.

Regarding state-owned Petroperú, Montero emphasized the company's role in regaining market share and offering high-quality, low-cost fuels through open competition. The minister also highlighted the importance of reactivating the 64 and 192 oil blocks, which would increase the utilization of the Northern Peru Pipeline and generate revenue for local communities.

Montero proposed that these blocks be auctioned off using a model similar to the one employed for Block X, in which the state retains a minority stake while a private company assumes operational control and investment.