Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority, EMRA, has provided a smooth changeover for around 1,300 gas stations in either renewing or signing new distributor contracts, Mustafa Yilmaz, head of the authority, said Monday.
During the opening ceremony of the sixth Turkey Energy Summit in Konya, Yilmaz said that 519 gas stations have changed their distribution companies and around 800 stations have renewed their contracts with their current distributors.
In 2010, the changeover period for gas stations was reduced from 15-20 years down to five years. During this changeover period, stations have the right to sign new contracts with different distributors to obtain additional profit shares and/or avail of transfer payments.
After 2010, the first changeover period was set for September 2015.
'With the authority's regulations, Turkey's petroleum sector has become compatible with European standards in both product quality and integration in global markets,' Yilmaz said.
'We see competition in the fuel sector through better service to consumers, not in transfers,' Yilmaz commented.
Currently, there are nearly 13,000 gas stations and 85 main distribution companies operating across the country.
By Ugur Serhan Ozcan
Anadolu Agency
ugur.ozcan@aa.com.tr