Albanian Communities Discuss TAP Impact

The Trans-Atlantic Pipeline project has released results of an Environmental Impact Assessment in Albania to the local communities.

The TAP consortium says the move is part of its stakeholder engagement with those affected by construction of the 270-km pipeline, of which 209km is through land. In Albania the pipeline will travel from the Korce region in the west across to the Fier region, where it will enter the sea on the coast.

TAP is also organising a series of public meetings, which started this Monday, in areas through which the pipeline will travel. In a statement, the consortium says the meetings will consider the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, which has taken several years to complete.

 ESIAs are carried out to assess the potential impacts of the project on the environment, cultural heritage and socio-economic resources of the communities affected, and to design counter-measures.

Albert Haak, TAP's country manager for Albania, said: “TAP is committed to open and transparent communication. We are looking forward to present this important document to the communities in Albania and to listen to their feedback. It is important for us to develop this pipeline in continuous dialogue with them, making sure that all concerns are addressed and all questions are answered.”

TAP still has to be chosen by the Shah Deniz Consortium, which will decide next year in Azerbaijan. TAP is competing with the Nabucco West project for carriage of gas in the region.

Once the final investment decision on the pipeline is made and all necessary approvals received, TAP says construction would start in 2015.