Azerbaijan's SOCAR to accelerate Albania’s gas infrastructure development

Albania aims to fast-track the development of its gas infrastructure through cooperation with Azerbaijan, despite rapid growth in its energy sector, the country’s Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Ceno Klosi, has said.

Klosi acknowledged that while Albania’s energy sector is expanding dynamically, the country lags behind in gasification, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“Albania is a country with a rapidly developing energy sector; however, it is falling behind in the area of gas,” he noted.

Klosi emphasised that collaboration with Azerbaijan, particularly with the state oil company SOCAR, will help Albania accelerate the expansion of its gas infrastructure and enhance its energy potential.

“We are striving to deepen our cooperation through the exchange of experience and capabilities possessed by both countries, as well as the knowledge accumulated in the energy sphere,” he added.

Furthermore, Albania is preparing to start importing Azerbaijani gas in 2026 via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

“For the first time, Albania will receive gas through the TAP pipeline. The pipeline already runs through Albanian territory and leads to Italy, but in the future, there may be discussions about constructing a branch line to the north. This is currently under consideration. At this stage, our goal is to utilise Azerbaijani gas as an energy resource,” Klosi explained.

He stressed that the country views the gas supply project as strategic in addressing its lag in gasification.

By Aghakazim Guliyev