Turkey is outlining a path to operate a centralized gas market, capable of handling up to 40 billion cubic meters of gas annually from a trading hub in the country. This is the gist of the recent broadcast by Fatih Dönmez, the minister heading Turkey’s Ministry of Energy, who spoke on NTV about the planned center and its potential role in regional energy trade (Source: NTV broadcast).
Dönmez explained the balance sheet of gas purchases and sales by Turkey. He noted that the country currently consumes about 60 billion cubic meters from the roughly 100 billion cubic meters it buys each year. That leaves around 40 billion cubic meters that could be offered for sale through the new center, a simplified way of describing how Turkey intends to leverage its gas portfolio to support a market-ready trading platform (Source: NTV broadcast).
The minister also highlighted the countries that have provided LNG supply to Turkey, including Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan. He indicated that Turkey is actively engaging European buyers as part of an ongoing effort to expand gas sales routes beyond domestic needs, signaling a strategic shift toward diversified supply and export opportunities (Source: NTV broadcast).
In his remarks on April 8, Dönmez stated that the republic, together with Azerbaijan, expects to bring gas to European markets. He emphasized that Azerbaijan has made substantial investments in Turkey, pointing to SOCAR, the Azerbaijan state oil company, as a major investor in the Turkish energy landscape. This collaboration underscores a broader regional approach to energy security and bilateral economic development (Source: NTV broadcast).
The discussions come amid legislative activity in Turkey’s Grand National Assembly (TGNA). Lawmakers are moving to amend the framework necessary for the gas center to transition from proposal to operational status. The envisioned international gas trading hub aims to attract traders from around the region, enhance price transparency, and provide a reliable mechanism for cross-border gas flows. The legislative changes are framed as a critical enabler for realizing the center’s ambitions and for strengthening Turkey’s position in regional energy markets (Source: NTV broadcast).