Azerbaijan to start supplying Germany with natural gas
Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR announced on Friday that it has begun supplying natural gas to Germany and Austria, marking a further expansion of its presence in European energy markets.
The move is part of Azerbaijan’s broader strategy to diversify its export destinations and strengthen its role as a key energy supplier to Europe.
The development comes amid rising European demand for Azerbaijani gas, as EU countries continue efforts to reduce their reliance on Russian energy supplies following the war in Ukraine.
Since 2022, Europe has accelerated the search for alternative sources of natural gas, placing Azerbaijan among the strategic partners for energy diversification.
SOCAR noted that any significant increase in export volumes will depend on further expansion of pipeline infrastructure and additional investment aimed at boosting gas production capacity.
The Azerbaijan’s state energy company emphasized that long-term supply growth is closely tied to both upstream development and the modernization of transit routes.
According to data from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy, gas exports to Europe stood at 12.8 billion cubic meters last year, slightly down from 12.9 billion cubic meters the previous year, while total gas exports remained stable at 25.2 billion cubic meters.
Officials attributed the marginal decline in European deliveries to technical and capacity-related constraints rather than reduced demand.
SOCAR confirmed that gas shipments to southern and central Europe are being carried out via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which forms the European leg of the Southern Gas Corridor.
The corridor plays a central role in transporting Caspian gas to European markets through Türkiye, Greece, Albania, and Italy.
In June, SOCAR signed a 10-year agreement with Germany’s state-owned energy trading SEFE company, under which Azerbaijan will supply up to 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually.
The contract is seen as a significant step in strengthening bilateral energy cooperation between Baku and Berlin.
The company added that expanding deliveries through Italy toward Austria and Germany broadens the geographical reach of Azerbaijani gas across the continent.
With the inclusion of these new markets, the total number of countries importing Azerbaijani natural gas has risen to 16, reinforcing Azerbaijan’s position as an increasingly important contributor to Europe’s energy security.
