BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 21. The planned development, and interconnections of an LNG terminal in Vlora, Albania, to regional gas pipelines such as Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, Ionian Adriatic Pipeline would increase regional energy security, Trend reports with reference to the European Commission.
The Commission says in its country report that on energy networks, further efforts are still necessary to adopt the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and project identification plan under the gas master plan.
“This will help the development of TEN-E projects. The agreement signed in July 2021 for the construction of the TAP Fier exit point is key for the development of a gas market in Albania,” reads the report.
Reportedly, Albania intends to connect the Vlora thermal power plant with the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) through a natural gas pipeline, as well as through an LNG terminal to enhance the country and the regional energy security. The decision for licencing Albpetrol as a gas supplier was approved by the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE) in August 2021, while Albgas is expected to fulfil all conditions on ownership unbundling to be certified as Transmission System Operator at the end of 2022 (partly fulfilled by ERE decision of January 2022).)
As the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP has the capacity to transport approximately 10 billion cubic meters of gas per annum (bcm/a) to several markets in Europe. The pipeline is also designed with the potential to expand its throughput capacity up to 20 bcm/a.
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 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).