Turkey plans to strengthen its role in the EU energy sector through the development of the Vertical Gas Corridor, according to the country's Energy Minister.
The Vertical Gas Corridor Project, initiated in late May 2025, represents a significant step forward in Turkey's ambition to expand its influence in European energy security. This initiative aims to position Turkey as a key transit hub for diversified natural gas supplies to Central and Eastern Europe, reducing European dependency on Russian gas.
Currently, the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea is producing 9.5 million cubic meters of gas per day, supplying 4 million households in Turkey. The Vertical Gas Corridor Project, with an anticipated annual capacity of 10 billion cubic meters (bcm), is expected to boost this capacity within the next 12 to 18 months due to infrastructure upgrades primarily in Greece, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine.
The corridor will incorporate key interconnectors, such as the IGB pipeline, to link southern gas entry points (including Caspian gas supplies) with northern European consumers. This enhancement of regional energy resilience is a critical part of Europe’s broader energy diversification efforts, particularly in response to the significant reduction in Russian gas supplies.
The project serves as a geopolitical tool for Turkey to strengthen its regional energy role and energy diplomacy, boosting its influence as a transit country between Eurasian energy resources and European markets. By facilitating access to Caspian and Central Asian gas, the corridor helps Europe reduce dependence on Russia, aligning with EU strategies like REPowerEU to enhance energy security through diversified sources.
However, the full implementation of the Vertical Gas Corridor Project depends on resolving political, legal, and environmental challenges. These include Caspian Sea disputes and securing Western investments from institutions like the EBRD and major energy firms. There is a risk of limited success if capacity expansions are constrained or if political pressure (e.g., from Russia) and unresolved legal issues persist.
Despite these challenges, Turkey's current pipeline capacity to export gas to Greece and Bulgaria is under pressure. The country's reluctance to cede control to Russian interests means some projects promoted by Russia, such as a Turkish gas hub, have stalled, reinforcing Turkey's independent role aligned with EU energy diversification goals.
In conclusion, the Vertical Gas Corridor Project positions Turkey as a crucial energy transit country in Europe's push for energy security and diversification away from Russian gas. With an expected increased capacity of 10 bcm/year and broad regional cooperation, the corridor enhances Turkey's energy influence and supports EU goals to secure more reliable and diversified gas supplies from regions like the Caspian and Central Asia. Its success will hinge on overcoming legal, environmental, and geopolitical hurdles, as well as securing sustained international financial and political backing.
- The Turkish government, under President Erdogan, is working closely with Greece and other countries to upgrade infrastructure for the Vertical Gas Corridor Project, aiming to increase Turkey's role in casino-and-gambling as a key energy transit hub, reducing Europe's reliance on Russian gas.
- The infrastructure upgrades in Greece, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine, part of the Vertical Gas Corridor Project, will allow Turkey to boost its gas production capacity, supplying not only domestic markets but also Caspian and Central Asian gas to European consumers.
- The casino-and-gambling aspect is not directly mentioned in the text, but the Vertical Gas Corridor Project, by diversifying European gas sources away from Russia, could potentially lead to new business opportunities, such as the establishment of casinos and gambling facilities in Turkey, as part of its broader economic strategy.
