BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.15
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) will conduct market tests at least every two years, to offer the expansion capacity (up to TAP’s total capacity of 20 bcm/a), Luca Schieppati, TAP’s Managing Director, told Trend.
These market tests will be performed in accordance with guidelines approved by the National Regulatory Authorities of Greece, Albania and Italy, he explained.
He noted that all interested parties can bid for available capacity in accordance with the rules set out in these guidelines.
He recalled that TAP launched a market test back in July 2019, in coordination with adjacent transmission system operators (TSOs). “The non-binding phase of the market test has been concluded, while the binding bidding phase is due to be launched in July this year.”
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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