TAP's supplies of gas to Italy reach 42BCM since launch

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has delivered over 41.7 billion cubic meters of gas to Italy since the start of commercial operation at the end of December 2020, reads a statement by the TAP AG consortium, which is the operator of this pipeline, Report informs.

"The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has transported its 50^th billion cubic metre (bcm) of natural gas to Europe since the start of commercial operations. This significant achievement demonstrates TAP's role in ensuring a reliable, diversified gas supply to Europe, while enhancing competition and contributing to decarbonisation efforts across South-Eastern Europe," reads the message.

TAP, as the European segment of the Southern Gas Corridor, brings natural gas from Azerbaijan to European markets. Since it began commercial operations in late 2020, TAP has delivered:

• over 41.7 bcm to Italy
• over 4.8 bcm to Greece
• over 3.2 bcm to Bulgaria

Luca Schieppati, TAP"s Managing Director, commented: "Reaching 50 bcm is more than a milestone – it's a clear demonstration of TAP's strategic role in strengthening Europe's energy security and supporting climate goals. By safely and reliably delivering gas from a new source and a new route, TAP has helped diversify South-Eastern Europe's energy mix and reduce reliance on heavier fossil fuels, while also progressing along a decarbonisation pathway for our operations. 

Looking into the future, we are ready to further contribute to these goals. In fact, the first level of TAP's capacity expansion – set to add 1.2 bcm of long-term capacity per year from the start of 2026 – is already underway and will enable us to do even more. This could pave the way for further capacity expansions through Market Tests, depending on demand and the evolution of Europe's energy landscape."

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the final component of the Southern Gas Corridor designed to transport Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian to Europe, was put into commercial operation on November 15, 2020. The 878-kilometer pipeline runs through Greece, Albania, the Adriatic Sea and Italy.

Azerbaijan began exporting gas to Europe on December 31, 2020. According to the agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU, Azerbaijani gas supplies should reach at least 20 billion cubic meters per year by 2027. As part of the first stage of the pipeline expansion, Italy will receive 1 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas, and Albania will receive 200 million cubic meters.