The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) marked today with a sound ceremony the start of the construction of the gas pipeline project in Greece.
TAP is a strategic piece of the Southern Gas Corridor infrastructure in the framework of the energy security strategy in the European Union as the pipe will bring initial volumes of gas from Azerbaijan to Europe.
The 48 inch diameter Trans Adriatic Pipeline, which constitutes the European leg of the Southern Gas Corridor, is a gateway project that will deliver 10bcm/a of new Caspian gas supplies to Europe from 2020.
The importance of the project was underlined by the presence at the start off ceremony of the Prime Minister of Georgia Georgi Kvirikashvili, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Yaqub Eyyubov, the Deputy Prime Minister of Albania Niko Peleshi, the EU Vice President for Energy Union Maroš Šefcovic, the US Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Amos Hochstein, the Minister of Energy of Turkey Berat Albayrak, the Minister of Economic Development of Italy Carlo Calenda, the Minister of Energy of Bulgaria Temenuzhka Petkova, Switzerland State Secretary Federal Office of Energy Walter Steinmann, the Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Panos Skourletis and Alexis Tsipras, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic.
Shareholders from BP, SOCAR, Snam, Fluxys, Enagás and Axpo and over 300 high-level guests attended the event. The ceremony concluded with the signing of a pipe casing.
Ian Bradshaw, Managing Director at TAP, commented: “Today’s event marks a major milestone for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, our shareholders and for the energy landscape of Europe. After winning the bid in 2013 and working diligently to prepare for this moment, we are delighted to have started constructing the pipeline – a strategic project for Europe transporting new sources of Caspian gas via a new route commencing in 2020 and for years to come.”
“Our commitment to this project along with the endorsement of all parties present here today will help ensure that we deliver gas to European markets on schedule, bringing significant economic benefits to both our host countries and the countries where Caspian gas will be sold. TAP will also help integrate and diversify Europe’s energy supply, making a significant contribution to improving its energy security,” Bradshaw added.
Image over the headline.- Ian Bradshaw (Managing Director at TAP) during his speech at the ceremony for the launch of the construction of the TAP. © TAP
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