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Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel meets in Baden

On 28 June 2016, the Energy Charter Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) held its second meeting of 2016 in Baden, Switzerland. The meeting was hosted by AXPO (shareholder in Trans Adriatic Pipeline and an IAP member). The main theme of the meeting was: Private Sector engagement in gas infrastructure in the context of diversification of corridors and sources in Europe - The case of the Southern Gas Corridor. The Southern Gas Corridor is rapidly taking shape and getting closer to bringing Azerbaijani gas to Europe. At the same time, the Southern Gas Corridor plays a crucial role in European Union (EU), Western Balkans and Turkey’s energy policies. This new route will provide a  further source of gas for decades to come, and will change the energy landscape in various energy markets. The recent developments of main pipelines along the route and the Shah Deniz field clearly represent historical realisation of the Southern Gas Corridor. The event addressed several investment projects like Shah Deniz Stage 2, TANAP, TAP, South Caucasus Pipeline Expansion, IGB, the extension of Transitgas system, Gasification of the Western Balkans.

The meeting brought together senior representatives from BP, SOCAR, TANAP, Axpo, TAP AG, Fluxys, Edison, European Commission, EBRD, World Bank, Albpetrol, Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, EUROGAS, Mitsubishi Corporation International, Enagas, Plinacro, TIGF, Swissgas, Gaz-System, Gasunie, General Electric, Eustream and others.  

The participants addressed the issue of opening up the Southern Gas Corridor and how it might influence future gas flows to Europe from the Caspian Basin, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the East Mediterranean Basin. They also discussed how to enhance the potential impact of all investment projects on the EU gas security of supply architecture. 

The meeting allowed  for discussion on  the added value of the Energy Charter Treaty, namely its transit and investment provisions for the development of giant upstream projects and transportation routes. The meeting clearly showed the essentials of the Industry Advisory Panel which was created as a broad platform for a dialogue between energy industry and financial institutions. 

The Industry Advisory Panel also validated the membership requests of John Crane, Energoatom, China's Electric Power Planning & Engineering Institute, The Prince of Wales’s Corporate Leaders Group, R-square RiskLab. Currently the IAP has members from 52 energy companies, international associations and institutions from 23 countries operating in fields like exploration, production, generation, transmission, distribution, finance, equipment, services, technology and consultancy.