Turkey plans energy infrastructure projects in northern Cyprus

Ankara is planning to construct a 97-kilometer dual subsea natural gas pipeline and a parallel electricity interconnection project connecting Turkey with northern Cyprus. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz is expected to visit the area in mid-June to sign a memorandum of understanding, formalizing the project. The natural gas pipeline, with a diameter of approximately 55 centimeters, is estimated to cost 700 million US dollars. Construction is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2026, with a two-year completion timeline. The project includes building a new gas-fired power generation unit with energy storage at the Teknecik power station near Kyrenia. While technical studies for the gas pipeline are finalized, the electricity project faces challenges, as the government of Cyprus has raised objections with the European Union, leading to EU intervention. These developments are viewed as part of Turkey's strategy to become a regional energy hub.