Energy Security in the European Union: Azerbaijan's role as a natural gas supplier

The thesis explores the European Union’s approach to energy security, with a focus on Azerbaijan’s role as a supplier of natural gas. The study delves into the evolution of the EU’s main energy security policies and the significance of the partnership with Azerbaijan in the context of contemporary energy challenges. To understand latest dynamics, the research provides an overview of the current EU energy landscape, with a focus on 2022 and 2023. It highlights the increase in dependency on energy imports and examines the main trends and origins of natural gas supplies. Special attention is given to the REPowerEU Plan, introduced by the EU Commission in May 2022, which aims to reduce dependence on Russian energy imports by diversifying supply sources and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. Regarding diversification, within REPowerEU Azerbaijan emerged as a key partner in enhancing the EU’s gas import capacity via pipeline. The thesis explores the evolution of EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation, focusing on their long-standing energy partnership. Central to this cooperation appears to be the development of the Southern Gas Corridor, which has been delivering Azerbaijani gas to European markets since late 2020. In July 2022, EU Commission President von der Leyen signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev to double the capacity of the SGC by 2027. The thesis evaluates the production levels of Azerbaijan’s major natural gas fields, along with recent developments in the entire gas supply chain. The final purpose is to assess Azerbaijan’s reliability and its role in EU energy security, while also considering current dynamics and future prospects of their energy partnership.