The Turkish government says it plans to complete a natural gas pipeline linking Türkiye to Northern Cyprus by 2028 as part of broader efforts to strengthen energy supply on the island.

Speaking to local broadcaster A Haber, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Ankara is currently working on two major energy projects for Northern Cyprus, an electricity transmission connection and a subsea natural gas pipeline.

According to Bayraktar, the proposed pipeline will run for about 97 kilometers from the southern Turkish district of Alanya to Northern Cyprus. He explained that engineering studies for the project are expected to be finalized before the end of the year, with construction aimed at delivering gas to the island in 2028.

The minister noted that Northern Cyprus still depends heavily on fossil fuels to generate electricity, adding that the new projects are intended to improve energy reliability while reducing environmental pressure.

Turkish officials also see the pipeline as part of a longer-term strategy involving energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean. Bayraktar said the infrastructure could eventually help transport natural gas discoveries from the region through Türkiye and onward to European markets.

He added that Ankara has also been pursuing an undersea electricity cable project to help address growing power demand on the island and reduce supply disruptions.

The announcement followed a recent visit to Northern Cyprus by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, who held talks with Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ünal Üstel. During the visit, Yılmaz said both sides are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on the pipeline project in June before moving toward a formal intergovernmental agreement.