Southern Corridor GRIP 2014–2023 |
73
The Role of the Souther Corridor Region in the
development of the EU Gas Infrastructure and the quest
for diversification of supply sources and routes
The capacity and integration of gas transmission networks into a common European
network generally depends on the historical development of supply and sources.
The development of new gas infrastructure supports the three pillars of the European
energy policy: market integration, security of supply and sustainability. Ultimately, it
enables and facilitates a liquid and competitive common gas market, through
increased market participation and integration.
The rationale behind the key European gas transmission projects is increasing the
flexibility and integration of energy markets by ensuring different connections, more
alternatives of supply sources and at the same time increasing the cross-border
capacities. Despite the estimation that over 60% of natural gas, which is used in the
EU, crosses at least one border, the flexibility of its transmission system still needs
to be increased. The resulting increased flexibility of the European gas system will
enable and enhance supply diversification thus improving the security of gas supply.
The integration level of different gas transmission networks is also affected by the
characteristics of larger projects in which the EU member countries are included.
Approximately half of these projects are intended to increase the existing capacities
and the other half to develop new gas transmission infrastructure with new capacities.
Gas infrastructure can also have a significant role to play in improving sustainability
in Europe, since natural gas is likely to play a key role in helping the EU meet its
environmental targets as the cleanest available fossil fuel and the one better suited
to complement the intermittency of most renewable energy sources used for power
generation.
6.1 Key transmission projects
of the Region
TAP (TRA-N
1)
-051)
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline is a natural gas pipeline project, which is foreseen to
transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan, to Greece,
Albania and, across the Adriatic Sea, to Southern Italy. From there on, via the Italian
transmission system, Azeri gas will reach Northern and Western Europe. This
connection represents the shortest (and most direct) link from the Caspian Region
to the European markets. One of the main aims of the TAP project is securing future
energy supply, which supports a strategic goal of the European Union. The 1,200mm
pipeline, that will operate at 95bar, is designed to allow reverse flow and to expand
transportation capacity from 10bcm, initially, to 20bcm per year, depending on sup-
ply and demand. Other benefits of the TAP project are:
\\
providing a diversification opportunity for Europe,;
\\
interlinking several strategic European corridors (bridging Southern and North-
South West Corridors and also, with the contribution of the lateral connections
IAP and IGB, the North-South East Corridor),
\\
allowing the development of natural gas storage facilities in Albania and Greece
to further ensure security of supply to European markets during possible
operational interruptions,
\\
promoting economic development and creation of jobs along the pipeline route.
1) In December 2013 the project reached FID status
