BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 3. The EU is working with partner countries to increase gas supplies through the Southern Gas Corridor, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the occasion of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council’s meeting to be held in Baku April 4.
“This is even more important as we aim to phase out our dependency on Russian fuels and diversify our energy supplies. The Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council is an important platform where we track progress on these goals, ensure the operations of the Southern Gas Corridor, address energy security challenges, and work towards achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century,” he said.
Jørgensen pointed out that today, energy is even more a security matter.
“So we are committed to promoting renewable energy, energy
efficiency and renewable hydrogen and to explore options for a
regional green energy corridor in line with the objectives of our
Clean Industrial Deal and REPowerEUplans – which aim to phase out
our reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
Advancing the green agenda goes hand-in-hand with security of
supply. Energy efficiency and the expansion of renewable energy
reduce gas usage, and can hence be applied where it is most needed.
At the Advisory Council, we aim to strengthen mutual cooperation on
gas supply and demand, while discussing the necessary
infrastructure upgrades along the Southern Gas Corridor,” the
commissioner added.
He noted that the EU aims to continue with Azerbaijan and other
partner countries the development of the bilateral trade of natural
gas via the Southern Gas Corridor.
“This is of course also subject to commercial viability and market demand. It is for market participants to assess indeed the opportunities and agree on commercial terms for higher volumes of gas, that will underpin investment in increased pipeline capacity. We are making solid progress with the implementation of a number of projects to extend the reach of Azerbaijani gas within the EU, such as the Adriatic backbone and the strengthening of the Bulgarian and Romanian energy systems. All this, of course needs to be seen also against the backdrop of decreasing gas consumption in the EU, as we advance faster to end the use of fossil fuels in our economies. Azerbaijan is playing a significant role in our effort to diversify away from Russian fuels, in the light of Russia’s weaponisation of energy supplies and its brutal war in Ukraine. This is appreciated and valued,” said the commissioner.
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