BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov.3
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) could become an important hydrogen import pipeline for Europe, Trend reports with reference to the Oxford Institute of Energy Studies (OIES).
“The European Hydrogen Backbone (EHB), a consortium comprising 23 TSOs from 21 countries has an ambitious hydrogen network plan to reach a total length of 39,700 km by 2040 of which 69 per cent is repurposed pipelines and 31 per cent is new build. The Trans-Adriatic pipeline (TAP) is also included in the proposed EHB for 2040 as a repurposed export/import pipeline for hydrogen,” reads the latest OIES report.
Indeed, the TAP developers have started a study on the technical feasibility of blending up to 20 per cent of hydrogen.
“Italian SNAM is one of the infrastructure operators in Europe conducting several studies into repurposing its natural gas pipelines. TAP could become an important hydrogen import pipeline for Europe, importing from Turkey but also potentially from Azerbaijan and the eastern Mediterranean via the Trans Anatolian pipeline.”
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.
As a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, 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).
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