Newsletters
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced plans for a 97-kilometer natural gas pipeline linking Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), describing it as part of broader efforts to strengthen the island’s energy security.
Speaking in a televised interview, Bayraktar said Türkiye had developed both electricity transmission and natural gas projects to meet the TRNC’s growing energy demand.
“We foresee the need for a 97-kilometer natural gas pipeline between Türkiye and the TRNC. We want to reach the island through a pipeline starting from Alanya,” Bayraktar said.
He added that the project aims to replace existing liquid-fuel power generation on the island with natural gas infrastructure and is expected to become operational in 2028 after engineering studies are completed.
Bayraktar also provided an update on the regional electricity transmission initiative involving Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.
He described the project as the “T TANAP of electricity” or a “Southern Electricity Corridor,” aimed at transmitting renewable energy from Azerbaijan to Europe through Türkiye.
“The project has now reached an important stage,” Bayraktar said.
He noted that the countries had agreed to launch a feasibility study and that the initiative could eventually be formalized through an intergovernmental agreement signed by heads of state.
According to Bayraktar, the corridor would initially transport renewable energy from Azerbaijan via Georgia to Türkiye and onward through Bulgaria into Europe.
He added that several European countries had expressed interest in joining the initiative.
Bayraktar said Türkiye’s state energy company BOTAS had reached an agreement with Italy’s Edison covering LNG and natural gas trade.
He said the understanding also included work on a new pipeline route linking Türkiye, Greece and Italy.
“A working understanding was reached on a new natural gas pipeline that will start from Türkiye, go to Greece and from Greece to Italy,” he said.
Bayraktar described the project as an important alternative energy route for Europe amid ongoing geopolitical and energy uncertainties.
On domestic energy production, Bayraktar said Türkiye aims to meet the natural gas demand of 16 million to 17 million households with domestic production by 2028 under the third production phase.
He said new drilling vessels were being deployed to support the target while exploration activities continued.
“There is currently an exploration drilling operation underway at the Eflani well,” Bayraktar said.
“It is too early to say anything definite, but we are hopeful.”
Separately, TRNC Prime Minister Unal Ustel said the natural gas project would transform Northern Cyprus’ energy structure.
“TRNC will now meet natural gas,” Ustel said following talks in Ankara with Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.
He said the project would eventually supply homes, hotels, industrial zones and power plants.
Ustel noted that delays in EU procedures affecting the undersea electricity cable project had pushed authorities toward an alternative model centered on natural gas.
He also accused Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides of obstructing earlier energy plans but said the project would move forward.
According to Ustel, the investment is estimated at around $700 million and a protocol between Türkiye and the TRNC is expected to be signed in the second week of June.
He described the dual-line pipeline project as the “project of the century.”
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
