Bayraktar says 40% of TANAP capacity remains unused

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said stronger diversification and greater interconnectivity are essential to improve regional energy security amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

Speaking at Baku Energy Week, Bayraktar said global energy markets continue to face multiple challenges, including supply chain disruptions, high energy prices, sanctions, trade wars, the war in Ukraine and recent developments in the Middle East.

“We are living in an age of crisis and uncertainty. This is the new normal, and we need to prepare ourselves for it,” he said.

According to Bayraktar, diversification and interconnectivity should be the two main pillars of future energy policy.

He said existing infrastructure should be utilized more efficiently, noting that around 40% of the capacity of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) remains unused.

“TANAP still has 40% spare capacity,” Bayraktar said.

He added that the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline has the capacity to transport 1.5 million barrels of oil per day and that relatively small investments could further increase regional transport capacity.

Bayraktar cited a potential extension of the pipeline from Kirkuk to Basra as one example.

He also highlighted the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey-Bulgaria electricity interconnection project, saying it could eventually extend into Europe and Central Asia.

“This could become a power version of TANAP,” he said.

Bayraktar said strong political will, commitment and leadership would be necessary to implement such projects.

N.Tebrizli