Al-Shorouk Online
Trans-Saharan gas pipeline (expressive)
Algeria is moving to strengthen its position as a major hub for European energy security with the progress of the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline project, which aims to transport up to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Nigeria via Niger towards Europe, at a time when the European Union is racing against time to end its dependence on Russian gas by 2027..
He mentioned Business Insider Africa website The project gives Algeria a strategic role in the new energy equation of the European continent, benefiting from the huge network of pipelines and infrastructure that the country possesses, most notably the Hassi R’Mel Center, one of the largest gas centers in Africa.
According to the same source, the trans-Saharan pipeline extends over a distance of 4,128 kilometers, with a transportation capacity of up to 30 billion cubic meters annually, making it one of the largest anticipated energy projects on the African continent. The project will transport Nigerian gas to Algeria before redirecting it to European markets via export lines crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
These quantities are of particular importance to Europe, which has been searching for stable alternatives to Russian gas since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022, as the European Union intends to stop imports of Russian liquefied natural gas by the end of 2026 and end imports of Russian gas transported through pipelines by September 2027.
The report indicated that Algeria currently provides about 12 percent of the European Union’s gas imports, which makes it one of Europe’s most prominent energy partners, while the new project would further enhance this role in the coming years.
It is also expected to be achieved Project Economic gains for the three participating countries, through raising energy revenues, creating new job opportunities, and enhancing African energy integration, in addition to consolidating Algeria’s position as a main gateway for African gas to move toward European markets.
