Italian Government Grants “Final Go Ahead” to Trans Adriatic Pipeline

The Italian Government has granted Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) its Single Authorisation Permit, with European Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete commenting that the permit represents the final go ahead for the pipeline connecting Italy with Azerbaijan.  

‘The Single Authorisation is a key permit that allows TAP to move ahead with the start of pipeline construction in 2016’ reads a note released by TAP on Wednesday evening. 

The main problem for the green light had to do with local discontent in Italy, as the final landing point in Apulia Region is in an area highly dependent on tourism. 

‘TAP will also continue to respect local needs and work closely with local communities to ensure they remain fully informed of the process as the project moves forward, ‘ the consortium wrote on its website.  

European institutions welcomed Rome’s decision, commenting that it will help Europe to diversify the Old Continent’s energy sources. 

‘Italy gives final go ahead for TAP pipeline. It will contribute to energy diversification in Europe’ Cańete tweeted on Thursday morning. 

In April, Italian Minister of Economic Development Federica Guidi said that the Italian government would have granted final authorisation for TAP by the end of May.