EC: Southern Gas Corridor will help Europe to remain resistant to energy shocks

By Azernews

By Kamila Aliyeva

The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project, which provides for the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, can help the European Union (EU) member states to remain resistant to energy shocks until Europe is ready to further reduce the use of fossil fuels, including gas, the European Commission (EC) official representative said, Trend reported.

“The SGC project, which is designed to ensure the supply of Caspian gas to Europe via Georgia and Turkey, is a key project for the energy security of the EU,” he said.

Speaking about the future role of natural gas in the energy supply system of Europe, the EC official noted that the strategy of the EU Energy Union includes an ambitious goal - reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

"The European Union is making significant progress in this area, especially in the implementation of energy and climate policies until 2020. For the period after 2020, following the rapid ratification and entry into force of the Paris Climate Agreement, the Commission adopted a package entitled ‘Clean Energy’ which sets the regulatory framework for long-term energy and climate goals, thereby promoting a further transition to a cleaner economy," he added.

Within the framework of long-term transition to a low-carbon economy, gas will continue to play an important role as additional fuel, according to EC representative.

“Being relatively low-carbon fossil fuels, gas can be used to supplement renewable energy supplies. Nevertheless, demand for gas is projected to decline over the next decades, especially under the influence of climate and energy policies until 2030. However, it is projected that as domestic gas volumes in Europe will also decline, gas imports will remain stable until 2040. Accordingly, as part of its energy security strategy, the EU remains committed to projects such as the Southern Gas Corridor that can help EU member states maintain resilience to energy shocks,” he said.

Therefore, all components of the SGC were included in the list of ‘Projects of Common Interest’ approved by the European Commission.

The SCG project is set to change the energy map of an entire region. At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.

The Shah Deniz gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline.

Earlier, the EU Commission stated that it will continue to seek to extend the Southern Gas Corridor to Central Asia.