Turkey and Northern Cyprus discuss new energy infrastructure projects

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar held meetings in Ankara with the leader of the Turkish Cypriot administration, Unal Ustel, to discuss strengthening energy infrastructure in northern Cyprus. The talks focused on the implementation of mobile power generation units, the maintenance of existing grids, and the expansion of electricity generation capacity. Both sides confirmed that feasibility studies for an electricity interconnection cable between Turkey and the north have been completed. Furthermore, the parties are moving toward an investment phase for a natural gas pipeline project, which officials described as a strategic priority for supply resilience. Ustel characterized the pipeline initiative as a significant project intended to lower energy costs and improve stability. While Turkish officials framed the cooperation as a technical upgrade to ensure energy security, the project remains politically sensitive due to the ongoing division of the island. Ustel publicly called upon the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union to refrain from obstructing these infrastructure developments.