Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) signed an agreement on Friday to develop a 101-kilometer subsea natural gas pipeline aimed at enhancing Northern Cyprus' energy security, supporting electricity generation and advancing the island's long-term electrification goals.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, who described the project as a major milestone in the energy cooperation between Türkiye and the TRNC.

Bayraktar said the planned pipeline will extend from the district of Anamur on Türkiye's Mediterranean coast to the Teknecik region of Northern Cyprus. The project will consist of 97 kilometers of offshore pipeline and 4 kilometers onshore.

"The pipeline will be a key component of Northern Cyprus' energy transition and energy security. It will help ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and further strengthen the strategic cooperation between our countries," Bayraktar said.

The project includes the construction of two 22-inch pipelines designed for bidirectional operation. While the initial purpose is to transport natural gas from Türkiye to the TRNC, the infrastructure could also allow gas to flow in the opposite direction in the future if new natural gas reserves are developed around Cyprus, potentially enabling exports through Türkiye to European markets.

Natural gas delivered via the pipeline will primarily be used to generate electricity, helping diversify the TRNC's energy sources and reduce its dependence on imported petroleum products.

Bayraktar said the project forms part of Türkiye's broader energy strategy, which increasingly prioritizes electrification alongside the expansion of natural gas infrastructure.

He noted that Türkiye aims to increase the share of electrification in its economy to 35% by 2035, while the TRNC is pursuing similar objectives through a comprehensive electrification master plan.

According to Bayraktar, Northern Cyprus is preparing strategies covering key sectors including tourism, agriculture and transportation, with rising electric vehicle adoption expected to significantly increase electricity demand in the coming years.

"The step we are taking today will help meet future electricity demand in a secure and sustainable manner," he said.

He added that the availability of natural gas would strengthen the TRNC's electricity generation capacity, improve energy reliability and reduce reliance on imported liquid fuels.

"With the natural gas we will bring, we believe the TRNC will achieve an abundance of electricity," Bayraktar said.

Describing the initiative as a "historic project," Bayraktar said the subsea pipeline has the potential to become "the project of the century" for Northern Cyprus by laying the foundation for a more secure, sustainable and interconnected energy future. (ILKHA)