Türkiye prepares to supply gas to Syria

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that a connection has been established between Turkey's natural gas network and the network in Syria, saying, "We will soon supply gas to Syria. Perhaps they will form a partnership with us for this project, and thanks to this, we will be able to provide gas for electricity generation in Syria."

Minister Bayraktar attended the 9th OPEC International Seminar held in Vienna, Austria, with the theme "Drawing Roadmaps Together: The Future of Global Energy."

In the "Oil Markets: Energy Security, Growth and Prosperity" panel held as part of the seminar, speakers included Minister Bayraktar, along with United Arab Emirates (UAE) Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazroui, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Tarıq Sulieman Ahmad Al-Roumi, Nigerian Energy Minister Adebayo Adelabu, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.

Bayraktar stated that Turkey is focusing on energy supply security, affordable prices, and decarbonization, saying, "The Turkish economy will be carbon neutral by the middle of the century."

Bayraktar stated that these three factors support the development of more diverse and balanced policies in the energy sector, and that renewable energy is among the areas of focus.

"SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY CAPACITY WILL INCREASE 4-FOLD"

Bayraktar explained that Türkiye has an ambitious program in renewable energy, stating that the target is to quadruple its solar and wind energy capacity in the next decade, reaching 120 gigawatts by 2035. Bayraktar also pointed out that the country has a comprehensive and long-term oil and gas program, recalling that a historic natural gas reserve was discovered in the Black Sea in 2020, and gas production began quickly.

Bayraktar, noting that natural gas is currently supplied to 4 million households in Turkey from this field and that they will double this figure next year, said, "We will quadruple the production in the Black Sea in 2028, thus supplying gas from this field to 16 million households in Turkey."

Bayraktar stated that the production of underground oil and gas resources will begin using unconventional methods, and reminded that an agreement had been signed with some American companies for southeastern Türkiye.

"WE WILL SUPPLY GAS TO SYRIA SOON"

Bayraktar emphasized that they are investing in both Türkiye's and the region's energy security, stating that they aim to strengthen connections with neighboring markets through oil and gas pipelines. Bayraktar stated that they aim to develop infrastructure to allow for greater liquefied natural gas (LNG) access to Türkiye, noting that Türkiye is also expanding this reach into the European market.

Bayraktar, addressing new developments regarding energy transmission to Syria, said, "We have now connected our gas network to the Syrian grid. We will soon be supplying gas to Syria. Perhaps they will partner with us on this project, and through this, we will be able to provide gas for electricity generation in Syria. I hope life in Syria normalizes. I think investment in connectivity and infrastructure is very important."