The Ministry of Hydrocarbons and the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) are considering adjusting Decree 27956 (Rules of Construction and Operation of Refueling Stations) to promote private investment in the installation of compressed natural gas filling stations across national main roads .
“To encourage the construction of CNG pumps, new rules reducing the minimum area covered by a fueling station from 700 m2 to 500 m2 are being evaluated, and also the ANH procedures are being streamlined for new ventures. Besides, foreign plates will be allowed to access the fueling sites,” said the deputy minister for Industrialization, Trade, Transport and Hydrocarbons Storage, Álvaro Arnez.
According to an article published by El Deber, there are currently 234 filling stations in operation nationwide, while there are approximately 355,000 vehicles powered by CNG, about 25% of the country’s total fleet.
For Gary Medrano, manager of the ANH, it is essential to have CNG pumps covering Puerto Suárez-Santa Cruz road and later Santa Cruz-Cochabamba road. The department of La Paz has 33 refueling stations, whereas Santa Cruz has 101 and Cochabamba 72.
