The TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) consortium will complete preparations to operate commercial activities in November, four and a half years after the start of the gas pipeline construction.
TAP is completely built and is filled with natural gas from the Greek-Turkish border to the host terminal in southern Italy, TAP explained in a statement.
The connection point between the TAP pipeline and the Italian natural gas network of Snam Rete Gas in Puglia is expected to be completed and live ready for gas transportation between November 2020.
Connected to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Greek border with Turkey, TAP extends throughout Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before reaching the shores of Italy.
Commenting on the finished works, US Ambassador Kim said this is very important because it “ will make Albania an integral part of diversified regional energy architecture.” In her Twitter statement the Ambassador equaled energy diversification with choice, security and independence.
TAP is part of the Southern Gas Corridor.
The shareholders of TAP are BP, the state-owned company of Azerbaijan Socar and the Italian Snam with 20% each, the Belgian company Fluxys with 19%, Enagas of Spain with 16% and the Swiss company Axpo with 5%.
TAP was the largest investment in Albania with a value of 1.5 billion euros. The works for its construction gave a significant boost to Foreign Direct Investments.
But after the project is completed, the effect of the investment on the country’s economy is expected to be minimal, as the country does not have an infrastructure for gas use.
The project envisages two exits to Albania, while there is also a long-term plan for the construction of the transmission network in the central area of the country and connections with the region, which are still in the phase of feasibility studies.
