UK prime minister welcomes Azerbaijan's plans to increase gas supply to EU to 20 bcm by 2027

BAKU. May 31 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan's plans to increase gas supplies to Europe to 20 billion cubic meters by 2027 meet Europe's energy security interests, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a letter to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the start of Baku Energy Week.

"With the pressing twin challenges of tackling climate change and strengthening energy security, Baku Energy Week's ability to convene international thought leaders from the public and private sector has never been more important. Azerbaijan's role as a reliable energy partner is important in the global energy landscape. Azerbaijan's commitment to increase its natural gas supplies to Europe by 20 billion cubic meters by 2027 is already contributing to Europe's energy security. Diversity of supply is key to ending Russia's use of energy as a geopolitical weapon," Sunak said in the letter.

He also welcomed Baku's efforts toward developing renewable energy sources.

"Your plans to expand cooperation on energy transition with European partners will be key to achieving these goals. The establishment of the first Green Energy Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor and the Black Sea Submarine cable project, which aims to transfer renewable electricity from Azerbaijan to Europe, are particularly promising," Sunak said.

Azerbaijan began supplying gas to Europe on December 31, 2020. The volume of these shipments topped 8 billion cubic meters in 2021 and should grow to about 12 billion cubic meters in 2023 and to at least 20 billion cubic meters in 2027. Azerbaijan currently sells gas to Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania and might also start supplying gas to Hungary and Serbia by the end of 2023.