Today in Sochi, the fundamentals of developing the gas motor fuel market were discussed all day. The city hosted the V All-Russian Gas Motor Forum.

The plenary session was attended by a special representative of the President of Russia for interaction with the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, the presidential envoy, and the governor of Krasnodar Krai. The choice of the region as the venue for the meeting was not accidental.

“Over 10 years, 900 methane filling stations have been built from scratch. A few years ago, you could hear that there was nowhere to refuel; now there are no such conversations. We are working in all regions of the country,” said the special representative of the President of the Russian Federation for interaction with the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PJSC Gazprom.

“The concept for the development of the gas motor fuel market until 2035 has been adopted. This will accelerate the formation of a new economic sector and contribute to the environmental situation, as well as improve the quality of life,” noted the plenipotentiary representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Southern Federal District.

Environmental preservation has always been and remains a priority for Kuban as a resort and agricultural region. Therefore, the use of economically viable and environmentally friendly natural gas is seen as the main solution to the task of preserving the nature of the native land, the head of the region believes.

“We are an agricultural region; we must have environmentally friendly products. We proceed from the fact that environmental friendliness is now coming to the forefront. I am sure that gas motor fuel is the approach that helps solve environmental problems,” emphasized the governor.

In addition to the resort cities themselves, there are three reserves on the territory of the region – the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, Utrish, and Sochi National Park. There are also ten more nature reserves and hundreds of tourist attractions – Cypress Lake, waterfalls, dolmens, and much more. Millions of tourists come every year to see the beauty of Kuban, including in their own cars. The load on the region’s road transport network is enormous, but it should not affect the region’s wealth, the governor emphasized.

“In Kuban during the summer, the load of road transport on the roads exceeded the norm by 12 times. We are happy to welcome any vacationer, but we must preserve the environment today. Given the quality of the roads, which are only getting better, there will be more transport,” said the head of the region.

Among such support measures for businesses is providing investors with land for the construction of gas stations for rent without auctions. Kuban land is a valuable resource, but the region understands that areas are needed for the development of the gas motor industry. In addition, since 2022, with co-financing from the federal and regional budgets, costs for converting public transport and utility vehicles to natural gas have been compensated.

“Since 2019, we have started creating gas filling infrastructure. Over the past 6 years, we have built 29 stations; today there are 41 stations in the region. There are just over 5,000 buses in the region, of which 1,100 run on methane. We need to move towards public transport running on gas motor fuel, as well as agricultural machinery,” the governor said.

Krasnodar Krai is one of the leaders in the Russian gas motor market. In partnership with Gazprom Gas Motor Fuel, the idea emerged to build the first liquefied natural gas plant in Kuban. During the forum, its launch was ceremoniously initiated. The first line of the complex will allow the production of about 1.5 tons of fuel per hour.

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Sochi

Sochi is a major resort city on the Black Sea coast in southern Russia, often called the “summer capital.” It gained international fame after hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics, which led to significant modern development. Historically, its subtropical climate has made it a popular health and beach resort since the Soviet era.

Kuban

Kuban is a historical and geographical region in southern Russia, centered around the Kuban River. It was traditionally inhabited by Circassian peoples before becoming a Cossack territory in the late 18th century, following its annexation by the Russian Empire. Today, it is known for its agricultural land, the city of Krasnodar, and as a hub of Cossack culture.

Caucasian Biosphere Reserve

The Caucasian Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Western Caucasus region of Russia, established in 1924 to protect the region’s unique mountain ecosystems. It is one of the largest and oldest protected areas in Russia, created to preserve the population of the endangered Caucasian bison and other endemic species. The reserve is renowned for its pristine forests, alpine meadows, and significant biodiversity.

Utrish

Utrish is a protected natural area located on the Black Sea coast of Russia, near the city of Anapa. It is renowned for its unique relic juniper-pistachio forests, which are some of the last of their kind, and its diverse marine ecosystem. The area’s history includes ancient settlements, and it was designated as a state nature reserve in 2010 to preserve its fragile biodiversity.

Sochi National Park

Sochi National Park, established in 1983, is one of Russia’s first national parks. Located along the Black Sea coast near the city of Sochi, it protects a vast area of the Western Caucasus, renowned for its unique biodiversity, subtropical vegetation, and numerous rivers and canyons. The park also contains significant historical sites, including ancient dolmens and ruins from various eras.

Cypress Lake

Cypress Lake is a scenic, swamp-like lake located on the campus of the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette. It is not a natural body of water but was created in the 1940s from a former gully as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. The lake is famous for its tranquil cypress trees and is a habitat for alligators and turtles, serving as a beloved natural landmark for the university community.

Krasnodar Krai

Krasnodar Krai is a federal subject and fertile agricultural region in Southern Russia, often referred to as the country’s “breadbasket.” Historically, it was the core of the Kuban Cossack Host, who settled the area in the late 18th century after the territory was annexed from the Ottoman Empire. The region’s capital, Krasnodar, was founded in 1793 as Yekaterinodar, a fortress and gift from Catherine the Great to the Black Sea Cossacks.

Southern Federal District

The Southern Federal District is a federal district of Russia located in the southwest of the country, bordering the Black and Azov Seas. Historically, it encompasses the fertile North Caucasus region, which has been a crossroads of civilizations and the site of ancient Greek colonies, the Khazar Khaganate, and the powerful Mongol Golden Horde. In the modern era, it was a major frontier during the Russian Empire’s expansion and incorporates the Republic of Kalmykia, the only region in Europe where Buddhism is the predominant religion.