Axpo pleased with pipeline decision in favour of TAP

Axpo responds to the Shah Deniz Consortium’s decision to transport natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline TAP with pleasure and satisfaction. Axpo is an initiator of the TAP and holds an interest of 42.5 percent in the pipeline project. With the decision in favour of the TAP, the Shah Deniz Consortium has selected the short-est, and hence most economical, transport route for natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe.
Heinz Karrer, Axpo CEO, on the decision: “I am pleased that the TAP has been selected to transport gas from Shah Deniz II to Europe. This decision is the reward for ten years of project planning. It is an honour for Axpo to have been able to contribute to the successful initiation and development of such a geopolitically important project. I especially want to thank the Swiss gov-ernment for supporting this important project through diplomatic channels together with European circles.”
Axpo is certain that the approx. 880-kilometre long TAP route from the Turkish border via Greece and Albania to Italy will give the Shah Deniz Consortium access to attractive markets. Connection to the southern natural gas corridor through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline TAP increases European, and hence, Swiss natural gas supply security. In addition, the TAP will enable diversification of Swiss gas supply, and strengthen Switzerland’s position as part of the EU gas community.
Initially a capacity of 10 billion m3 of natural gas/per year is planned, and can be increased to 20 billion m3. After today’s positive decision, Axpo will now initiate the next steps together with the two other shareholders, Statoil and E.On.

energjia.al,  28.06.2013