Tunis — The number of Tunisian households connected to Tunisia's national gas grid has witnessed an exponential increase to reach 530,000 households in 2009 in comparison with 40,000 only in 1987.

During the previous years and especially in 2009, the sectors of electricity and gas have yielded record incomes of 755 million dinars, against 58 million dinars in 1987.

An increase which is also shown by the number of people connected to the country's electricity network which has reached 3 million people in 2009 compared to 1,1 million in 1987.

As part of its drive to enforce the use of natural gas in the country with a view to cut down on the country's energy bill, the Tunisian gas and electricity company (STEG) has launched an ambitious project to extend the gas grid to several regions of the country, including Zaghouan, Zriba and Djebel Oust. The project which is part of the country's 5 year plan (2007-2011) also involves the setting up of a 14 km long gas pipeline and the modernisation of 4 pressure units.

Other projects are also focusing on the greater Tunis area and will concern El Bassatine, El Menzah, El Mahata and Bir Mecherga. The projects will involve expenditures of 1 million 597 thousand dinars, and will enable 1242 inhabitants to be connected to the natural gas network.