SGC plays an important role and contributes to Romania and Europe’s energy security and diversification, as it already supplies billions of cubic metres per annum of gas, Romanian analyst, consultant, trainer and think tanker, and the CEO of Smartlink Communications Radu Magdin told Report.
"Countries of South Eastern Europe (Greece, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina etc.) are particularly vulnerable to Russian gas hybrid speculations, given their high dependency on Russia. Romania has a much lower reliance on such sources and much more flexibility when it comes to ensuring energy consumption and exports. While Romania aims to further support vulnerable regional partners, including Moldova, it is important to develop a network of partnerships that deliver in this area," he said.
According to Magdin, a further SGC expansion with the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline could strengthen gas supply to Europe via SGC.
"Azerbaijan, therefore, could fill-in, from currently 2%, to some 10-15% of Europe’s gas needs by 2030," he said.
The expert said that the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council and the 1st Green Energy Advisory Council meeting held on 3 February in Baku reaffirmed the strategic importance of the energy partnership between Azerbaijan and the EU.
"The partnership serves common goals, such as long-term energy security, sustainability, diversification of supply, and expanding the cooperation on the energy transition agenda, which have all been promoted and endorsed by Romania," Magdin said.
He believes that the meeting created welcome opportunities for partner countries, financial institutions, and companies on expanding cooperation on the energy diversification and green agenda.
"As Romania continues to expand its regional role in this chapter, the President’s participation in the Ministerial Meeting provided additional political weight and indicated the strategic nature of this objective," he said.