EU to double gas imports from Azerbaijan by 2027 

The EU is rushing to secure new gas supplies as it seeks to end dependence on Russia.

The new deal also aims to make use of Azerbaijan’s potential in offshore wind and green hydrogen. Picture: AP Photo/Sergei Grits

The European Union reached a deal to double natural gas imports from Azerbaijan in a bid to help replace Russian fossil fuels amid a worsening energy crisis following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

To boost the shipments, the capacity of the Southern Gas Corridor -- a network of pipelines connecting the Caspian Sea with Europe -- will be increased to 12bn cubic meters from the current 8.1bn, according to a memorandum of understanding signed with the 27-nation bloc Monday in Baku.