Türkiye and the TRNC Will Be Connected by a Natural Gas Pipeline Running Under the Mediterranean

Memorandum of Understanding Signed

A Memorandum of Understanding regarding the supply of natural gas to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was signed between the Government of the Republic of Türkiye and the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The signing ceremony, hosted by Ziya Öztürkler, Speaker of the TRNC Assembly, was attended by Cevdet Yılmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye; Ünal Üstel, Prime Minister of the TRNC; ministers from both countries; and representatives from the public and private sectors.

Building the Infrastructure
Vice President Yılmaz, who signed the agreement alongside TRNC Prime Minister Üstel, stated that the project would involve the construction of pipelines, import terminals, and auxiliary facilities to facilitate natural gas transmission, thereby establishing the infrastructure necessary for the TRNC’s access to natural gas.

Strategic Priority
Vice President Yılmaz noted that the introduction of natural gas will usher in a new era in various areas of use, particularly electricity generation, and said, “As the motherland, Türkiye, we view meeting the TRNC’s energy needs as a strategic priority.”

7 Mobile Power Plants

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Bayraktar noted that, from the past to the present, they have taken many important steps toward ensuring the energy security and economic development of the Turkish Cypriots, stating, “To date, we have shipped a total of seven mobile power plants to the island and successfully completed their installation. We have also been supplying the liquid fuel that Cyprus needs for its energy security through our public companies for the past five years.”

Pipeline and Facilities
Noting that a new and significant phase has been reached in joint efforts to meet the TRNC’s growing energy demand in a safe, uninterrupted, sustainable, and more affordable manner, Minister Bayraktar said, “As of today, following these signings, we are launching work on the construction of a natural gas pipeline system that will run underwater between Türkiye and the TRNC. “As part of this project, we will construct a natural gas transmission pipeline approximately 101 kilometers long, 97 kilometers of which will be underwater and 4 kilometers on land. This pipeline, which will run from Anamur to Teknecik, is planned to consist of two 22-inch pipelines. “We will also design this pipeline to be bidirectional—that is, to transport gas from north to south and from south to north—so that it can carry gas from Türkiye to the island, from the island to our country, and from there to Europe,” he said.

Uninterrupted Energy Supply

Minister Bayraktar emphasized that they would accelerate efforts to use the natural gas to be delivered to the island for electricity generation, stating, “This project, which will be an important part of Northern Cyprus’s energy transition and energy security, will ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply and further strengthen the strategic cooperation between our countries.”

Important Opportunities for the TRNC
Underlining that Türkiye’s energy vision is not limited to natural gas infrastructure alone, Bayraktar said, “Through the electrification projects we are implementing across the country, we are expanding the use of electricity in many sectors—particularly transportation—increasing energy efficiency, and reducing dependence on foreign sources. We believe this transformation also presents significant opportunities for the TRNC.”

A Significant Contribution to the TRNC Economy
Minister Bayraktar noted that electricity demand will increase further, particularly with the transition to electric vehicles in transportation, adding, “The step we are taking today will help meet the growing future demand for electricity in a safe and sustainable manner; at the same time, by reducing imports of petroleum and petroleum products, it will make significant contributions to the TRNC’s economy and energy supply security.”

Bayraktar, explaining that the UN Climate Change Conference COP31 will be held in Antalya and that they had discussed this matter with TRNC Prime Minister Üstel, said, “One of the issues we have strongly emphasized is increasing the share of electrification in our economies to 35 percent by 2035. To this end, as Türkiye, we aim to launch a transformation initiative across all sectors of the economy—from tourism to transportation, agriculture, and buildings.”

A Shared Vision for Electrification
Minister Bayraktar noted that they share a similar vision with TRNC Prime Minister Üstel, stating, “Northern Cyprus is also working within the framework of an electrification master plan across all sectors of the economy—including tourism, agriculture, and especially transportation—driven by this electrification vision. With the natural gas we will supply, Northern Cyprus will, God willing, achieve an abundance of electricity and be able to become a net exporter. “Therefore, I wanted to present this project to you as a historic one, particularly in this regard,” he said.

The Project of the Century
“I hope the natural gas pipeline—which could be the project of the century for Northern Cyprus—will bring blessings and good fortune,” said Bayraktar, expressing his gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has guided the project with his vision. Minister Bayraktar also celebrated the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day, praying for God’s mercy upon our soldiers and freedom fighters who fell as martyrs during the Cyprus Peace Operation, and wishing our veterans a long and prosperous life.

COP31’s Electrification Goal
Bayraktar, explaining that the UN Climate Change Conference, COP31, will be held in Antalya and that they had discussed this matter with TRNC Prime Minister Üstel, said, “One of the issues we have strongly emphasized is increasing the share of electrification in our economies to 35 percent by 2035. To this end, as Türkiye, we aim to launch a transformation initiative across all sectors of the economy—from tourism to transportation, agriculture, and buildings.”

A Shared Vision for Electrification
Minister Bayraktar noted that they share a similar vision with TRNC Prime Minister Üstel, stating, “Northern Cyprus is also working within the framework of an electrification master plan across all sectors of the economy—including tourism, agriculture, and especially transportation—driven by this electrification vision. With the natural gas we will supply, Northern Cyprus will, God willing, achieve an abundance of electricity and be able to become a net exporter. “Therefore, I wanted to present this project to you as a historic one, particularly in this regard,” he said.

The Project of the Century
“I hope the natural gas pipeline—which could be the project of the century for Northern Cyprus—will bring blessings and good fortune,” said Bayraktar, expressing his gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has guided the project with his vision. Minister Bayraktar also celebrated the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day, praying for God’s mercy upon our soldiers and freedom fighters who fell as martyrs during the Cyprus Peace Operation, and wishing our veterans a long and prosperous life.