(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 17. The long-term
energy strategy of Azerbaijan has already proved itself as a
successful one by securing the European energy market when it faced
serious obstacles in diversifying supplies amid the crisis. This is
when Azerbaijan came to the rescue by inking a memorandum on
doubling energy supplies to the EU from 10 bcm to 20 bcm by
2027.
In 2022, Azerbaijan already supplied over 11 bcm to European
countries only. The total Azerbaijani gas exports over the last
year amounted to 22.6 bcm. This year, Azerbaijan plans to exceed 24
bcm in its gas supplies.
The issues of energy security play one of the major roles in
Azerbaijan-Italian relations. Designed for the potential to supply
over 20 bcm of gas, today, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the
European section of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), already
ensures Italian energy security, covering over 10 percent of the
country's gas demand, which is about 10 bcm. The possibility of
using TAP for hydrogen supplies would further strengthen energy
cooperation between the two countries.
During the groundbreaking ceremony for a 1,280-MW thermal power
plant, the construction of which will be carried out together with
Italian Ansaldo Energia, President Ilham Aliyev pointed out that
the TAP project is a joint success of Azerbaijan and Italy.
'Most of Azerbaijani oil is delivered to the Italian market, and
Azerbaijani gas has been delivered to the Italian market for more
than two years. Whereas the starting point of the Southern Gas
Corridor is Azerbaijan's sector in the Caspian Sea, its end point
is Italy, and several countries along the way benefit from
Azerbaijan's gas. Taking into account the new needs of Europe and
according to the document signed between the European Commission
and Azerbaijan last year, we will ensure an increase in the volume
of natural gas supplies to Europe. Of course, the issue of doubling
the capacity of the TAP is on the agenda now. This issue has been
discussed for some time now, including the discussions at the
Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council held in Baku at the
beginning of this month,' President Ilham Aliyev said.
As Daniel Pommier Vincelli, a researcher from Italia's Sapienza
University, told trend , working towards the expansion of TAP is one of
the main targets for the Italian Government.
'When energy cooperation with Azerbaijan is concerned, Italy
looks at it as one of the main targets. As the country strives to
get rid of its dependency on Russian gas, it is stipulating
bilateral agreements with gas-supplier countries. Today, Azerbaijan
provides us with almost 15 percent of our total gas imports. Thus,
we are very thankful for TAP and the SGC,' he said.
Vincelli noted that the visits of Adolfo Urso, Minister of
enterprises and Made in Italy, and Guido Crosetto, Minister of
Defense, are of high significance when the world of politics is
concerned.
'These two catchers are not simple ministers but big shots in
Italian politics. Crosetto is the founder of the Italian largest
party – Brothers of Italy – and is considered a mentor to the
Italian Prime Minister Mrs. Giorgia Meloni. Urso has served as a
Member of Parliament for around thirty years, has a long
ministerial experience and is considered one of the economic minds
of the new government. They were first to visit Azerbaijan not only
for the official positions held by the two ministers but for their
political role inside Italian politics,' he explained.
According to the expert, Azerbaijan is becoming a political and
economic leader in the wider region, and its renewable energy
strategy is a part of this success.
'Azerbaijan is a coastal country, and its sea, wind, and sun
potential could be exploited in different forms. Italy and
Azerbaijan are alike in this regard. And both countries have a
common target when it comes to renewable energy deployment.
Currently, Italy's close to 20 percent of energy consumption stems
from renewables, and the country seeks to reach the target of 30
percent by 2030, just like Azerbaijan. Thus, Italy can be of utmost
help for Azerbaijan with its technical expertise, so Azerbaijan can
reach its local targets and even become a supplier of renewable
energy to Europe,' Vincelli added.
Vincelli pointed out that by boosting cooperation with Europe,
Azerbaijan's role in the South Caucasus and the wider region will
only increase in the near future.
Azerbaijan continues to be a reliable supplier to its partners,
with the potential to increase this cooperation further. As a
result of a new energy strategy of President Ilham Aliyev, aimed at
ensuring the EU's energy security, achieving decarbonization
targets, and also strengthening cooperation with the European
countries, Azerbaijan is highly valued and appreciated by its
partners. Today, all of them are eager to contribute to the
development of energy infrastructure, which was first initiated by
President Ilham Aliyev, who looked far into the future.