Turkey starts construction of 101‑km gas pipeline to Northern Cyprus

Turkey has begun building a 101‑kilometre natural‑gas pipeline linking its southern coast to the Turkish‑controlled north of Cyprus. The route includes a 97‑kilometre subsea segment and a 4‑kilometre on‑shore stretch, with an announced annual capacity of 10 billion cubic metres. The project is intended to supply Turkish gas to meet the energy needs of Northern Cyprus, while a second phase envisions reverse flow that could carry Eastern Mediterranean gas through Turkey to European markets, potentially reducing Europe’s reliance on LNG.

Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar highlighted that the pipeline will be double‑tracked and that the initiative could turn Turkey into a regional energy hub. The Republic of Cyprus, which claims exclusive rights over the island’s offshore zone, does not recognise the Turkish‑Cypriot administration and has objected to the work. Turkish Cypriot Energy Minister Olgun Amcaoglu countered that the pipeline secures the north’s energy future. Navtex notices were issued until the end of August to inform mariners of seismic surveys along the route.