TAP submits ESIA to Albanian Govt

In congruence with Albanian law and with the Environmental and Social Policy of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the ESIA (environmental and social impact assessment) report was developed. This is following the submission of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline environmental and social impact assessment report for the proposal by the Albanian section to the National Licensing Centre in Albania.

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is currently having the ESIA report disclosed to any communities that will be affected along the pipeline route. The route will begin in Bilisht Qendër in Korca region at the border of Albania and Greece and it will run for about 209 km. There will be a number of public hearings organized by local authorities on this report by the end of this month. 

So far the TAP has received endorsement from the senior ministers of host countries including: Greece, Italy, and Switzerland at the meeting held in Davos, Switzerland.

The E.ON Ruhrgas Chairman of the Board of Management, Klaus Schäfer believes that because of  the support of host countries will help to get the TAP passed in June 2013. He hopes that the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline's Intergovernmental Agreement will be signed by the governments of Greece, Albania, and Italy by the end of this month as well.

The TAP will transport natural gas from the Shah Deniz II development in Azerbaijan and ship it via Greece and Albania across the Adriatic Sea into Southern Italy. This will continue further into Western Europe. It is designed to expand the capacity being transported from 10 to 20 Bcm/a, depended on the amount of supply and demand. It will also enhance Europe's energy security by helping to contribute to diversification of the gas supplies in the southern areas of Europe. 

http://pipelinesinternational.com/news/tap_submits_esia_to_albanian_govt/079800/