TAP AG pipeline company expects positive results from binding market tests for the phased expansion of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) capacity to 20 billion cubic meters per year, TAP representative in Greece Ioannis Maris said, Report informs.

TAP’s expansion capacity is offered to the market through regular Market Tests organized every odd year.

“The 2021 Market Test resulted in binding commitments which will add an extra 1.2 bcm per year to the pipeline capacity by January 1, 2026 – which is just the first step towards further expansion. The 2023 Market Test is currently ongoing and we are optimistic for its outcome,” he noted.

“In fact, as we enter the fourth year of operations, we have successfully facilitated the adoption of a less carbon-intensive energy source in Greece, Bulgaria and Italy. To date, we have transported over 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to Europe. In Greece, we are the third-largest supplier, accounting for up to 18% of total natural gas imports in 2023,” he said.

“These are significant accomplishments already, however we can contribute to Europe’s security of energy supply and decarbonization objectives further if we progressively double the pipeline’s capacity, which is currently at 10 bcm/a,” he added.

TAP is a component of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) system. The total length of the gas pipeline is 878 km, of which 550 km are in the northern part of Greece, 215 km in Albania, 105 km run along the bottom of the Adriatic Sea, and 8 km in Italy.

Supplies of Azerbaijani gas to consumers in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria through TAP began on December 31, 2020. According to agreements between Azerbaijan and the EU, by 2027, supplies of Azerbaijani gas will reach at least 20 billion cubic meters.