BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 12
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
The Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which provides for the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, will allow Georgia to receive gas at the prices well below market prices, said Head of department of Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation (GOGC) Timur Gochitashvili, Trend reports citing Georgian media outlets.
“This will keep gas tariffs at the lowest possible level for the country's population and for thermal power plants, which in turn will help reduce electricity imports, primarily from Russia, and ensure the country's energy security,” said Gochitashvili.
According to him, today Georgia receives gas from the South Caucasus pipeline under two contracts - for optional gas, obtained as a payment for transit, and additional gas, purchased at a reduced price.
“Optional gas makes up 5 percent of the transit, and the contract is valid until 2066. As for the additional gas, the contract under which Georgia receives 500 million cubic meters is valid until 2026. Commissioning the new gas pipeline will increase Georgia’s access to gas,” Gochitashvili said.
According to him, this is primarily due to an increase in the volume of fuel transported through Georgia.
“In 2024-2026, gas transit through Georgia will reach 22 billion cubic meters, which will allow the country to receive 1.1 million cubic meters of gas at a reduced price, which is about 45 percent of current consumption," he said.
The opening ceremony of the Phase 1 of the TANAP was held on Nov. 30, 2019.
The opening ceremony took place in Ipsala, Edirne province of Turkey.
In this area, near the Greek border, TANAP is connected to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), through which natural gas from Azerbaijan will be delivered to European countries.
Opening ceremony of TANAP's Phase 0 took place on June 12, 2018, in the Turkish province of Eskisehir, and commercial gas deliveries to Turkey began in late June 2018.
As of late October 2019, the volume of gas transportation to Turkey via TANAP has reached 3.08 billion cubic meters (bcm) since the start of commercial gas supplies on June 30, 2018.
The initial capacity of TANAP, which is the main segment of the Southern Gas Corridor, is 16 billion cubic meters of gas.
Around six billion cubic meters of this gas will be supplied to Turkey while the remaining volume - to Europe. After the completion of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) construction, gas will be supplied to Europe in early 2020.
The share distribution of TANAP shareholders is as follows: Southern Gas Corridor CJSC - 51 percent, SOCAR Turkey Enerji - 7 percent, Botas - 30 percent, BP - 12 percent.
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