Greece Vows Continued Support for ITGI Pipeline
CEO of Greek state-owned gas company DEPA and Chairman of IGI Poseidon, Harry Sachinis has welcomed a joint statement from the Greek Minstry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Energy in support of the ITGI (Interconnector Turkey-Greece-Italy) pipeline.
"We welcome the statement from the Greek Foreign Affairs and Energy Ministries confirming ITGI as the most credible, reliable and ready to go solution which will partner with Shah Deniz II to open the Southern Corridor for European markets," Mr. Sachinis said.
"ITGI can bring Azeri gas to Europe with the lowest risk. Furthermore, ITGI’s timely realisation and commercial success by providing access to gas from the Caspian to a maximum number of European countries with the maximum certainty possible would pave the way to the development of a broader regional set of projects, connecting the additional gas resources which will be made available to the EU."
On Friday, the Greek Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Energy released a joint statement to reaffirm their support of the pipeline project, saying the pipeline remained a priority for the improvement of energy networks.
"The Greek government consistently and firmly supports the plan for the completion of the ITGI," the statement from the ministries said.
"We believe that this project contributes decisively to meeting Europe’s need for diversification of energy sources and routes, while it is certainly one of the most advanced plans in terms of studies carried out and permits acquired. At the same time, it ensures greater investments in Greece."
Elio Ruggeri, CEO of IGI Poseidon and head of international gas infrastructures of Italian Edison, said that ITGI was still the most advanced pipeline at this time and would be ready to transport Shah Deniz gas whenever the field was ready to export.
"ITGI is the most advanced Southern Corridor pipeline project with all authorization and permission clearances given compared to other projects which are in a preliminary phase, allowing ITGI to start construction works as soon as gas from Shah Deniz II field is allocated from the on-going commercial bid," he said.