BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.11
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Hungary is interested in considering Azerbaijani gas supplies in its future energy mix, Dóra Zombori, Ministerial Commissioner for International Energy and Climate Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary told Trend.
“It is our strategic interest to diversify energy import routes and sources. We are interested in considering Azerbaijani gas supplies in our future energy mix. The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline Consortium (TAP AG) announced on 15 November 2020 that it is commercially prepared to operate the pipeline. As regards routes, the implementation of the Vertical Corridor has also reached another milestone, as the development of the first phase of the BRUA project in Romania has been completed, which will enable the transmission of alternative natural gas via the Romanian natural gas network to Hungary. We remain confident that following the necessary network developments in Greece and Bulgaria, the physical connection between Central Europe and Azerbaijan will be established from 2022-23,” she said.
Zombori pointed out that Hungary also supports the implementation of the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline, still in the planning / preparation phase, which aims to deliver Azerbaijani natural gas from the Southern Gas Corridor to the Balkan countries. “The Hungarian natural gas transmission system stands ready to receive Azerbaijani natural gas from these southern directions.”
Following the start of commercial operations on November 15, 2020, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG confirmed on Dec. 31 the commencement of gas flows from Azerbaijan. The first gas has reached Greece and Bulgaria, via the Nea Mesimvria interconnection point with DESFA, as well as Italy, via the Melendugno interconnection point with SNAM Rete Gas (SRG).
TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.
TAP will facilitate gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through prospective interconnectors. In particular, Bulgaria will be able to cover up to 33% of its total gas demand through TAP after the completion of the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB). TAP’s exits in Greece and Albania together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets.
As a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP is strategically and economically important to Europe and essential in providing reliable access to a new source of natural gas. TAP plays a significant role in boosting Europe’s energy security, supply diversification, as well as decarbonisation objectives.
TAP’s shareholding is comprised of bp (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).
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