The Iğdır-Nakhchivan natural gas pipeline, set to commence operations next week, marks a major milestone in energy cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktaroğlu, announced that the pipeline’s construction is in its final stages, reinforcing Nakhchivan’s energy security and diversification.
A Strategic Project for Energy Independence
Initiated through bilateral agreements on December 15, 2020, the pipeline is a joint effort by Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR) and Turkey’s BOTAŞ. The 97.5-kilometer pipeline, with 17.5 kilometers in Azerbaijan and 80 kilometers in Turkey, will supply 2 million cubic meters of gas per day—fully meeting Nakhchivan’s energy needs. Future expansion plans indicate that the pipeline’s capacity could more than double.
Minister Bayraktaroğlu confirmed that the official inauguration will take place next week, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and high-ranking officials from both countries.
Securing Nakhchivan’s Energy Future
Previously reliant on limited gas supply routes, Nakhchivan’s energy infrastructure faced vulnerabilities. This pipeline directly aligns with the “State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (2023-2027),” ensuring energy stability while integrating the region into Azerbaijan’s broader economic framework.
A SOCAR representative emphasized its impact:
“This pipeline will eliminate Nakhchivan’s dependency on a single energy supply.”
The completion of the Iğdır-Nakhchivan pipeline not only cements Azerbaijan and Turkey’s strategic energy partnership but also strengthens regional energy security, autonomy, and resilience.