First Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Artem Nekrasov took part in the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council and the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Green Energy Advisory Council, held in Baku.
In his remarks, he emphasized that following the start of russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, diversifying gas supply routes and reducing dependence on russian energy resources have become critical elements of the EU’s energy security.
“Today, energy is no longer only an economic issue - it is also a matter of security. This is why the development of alternative gas supply routes to Europe is of strategic importance,” he noted.
The First Deputy Minister highlighted the key role of the Southern Gas Corridor as a strategic route for transporting natural gas from the Caspian region to European markets. Currently, Azerbaijani gas exports to the EU amount to approximately 12–13 billion cubic meters per year, with plans to increase this volume to 20 billion cubic meters annually by 2027.
He also underscored the importance of developing infrastructure within the Vertical Gas Corridor initiative and the potential use of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline in reverse flow mode to supply gas from the south to countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
Artem Nekrasov stressed that under the current circumstances, Ukraine can play a significant role in strengthening gas supply security in Europe. Ukraine’s gas transmission system is one of the largest in Europe, while its underground gas storage facilities are the largest on the continent, providing substantial opportunities for storage and flexible use of gas resources. “The use of Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities can serve as an effective tool for international suppliers to store gas for subsequent delivery to the European market during periods of increased demand,” he said.
Nekrasov also highlighted the prospects for further expansion of the TANAP and TAP gas pipelines, as well as the potential to increase natural gas production in the Caspian region. The comprehensive development of the southern supply corridor, combined with the capabilities of Ukraine’s gas transmission system and underground storage facilities, creates additional opportunities to strengthen Europe’s energy security.
