Baku, Azerbaijan, March 13
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Turkish Stream can't be alternative to the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP), TRT Haber TV channel reported on Mar.13, citing Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz.
Turkish Stream and TANAP are two different projects, but the latter is of special strategic importance for Turkey, according to the minister.
While some countries refused to implement energy projects due to economic problems, Azerbaijan and Turkey started the implementation of the TANAP project, said Yildiz.
Turkish minister added that aside from ensuring Europe's energy security, TANAP will promote the region's development.
He went on to add that the implementation of this project will not harm the environment. "TANAP is not only economic, but also a political project."
The TANAP project envisages the transportation of gas of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field from the Georgian-Turkish border to the western borders of Turkey.
TANAP's initial capacity is expected to reach 16 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Around six billion cubic meters of this gas will be delivered to Turkey and the rest of the volume to Europe.
Turkey will obtain gas in 2018 and after the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), gas will be delivered to Europe in early 2020.
The project's cost is estimated at $10-$11 billion.
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