Shareholder of TAP to invest 11.5 billion euros by 2027

Italy's Snam (SRG.MI), one of the shareholders (with a 20% stake) of the Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline (TAP), will invest 11.5 billion euros ($12.5 billion) by 2027 to expand its infrastructure to support the country's energy transition, 15% more than in its previous business plan, the gas network operator said on Thursday, Report informs, citing Reuters.

In its new strategy, the state-controlled group will focus on the construction of a new pipeline and the completion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure.

It will also invest in energy transition businesses, including a carbon capture and storage hub and the development of a European hydrogen network.

"We will invest 11.5 billion euros to develop an increasingly flexible infrastructure ...thus supporting the carbon neutrality pathway for Italy," CEO Stefano Venier said in a statement.

The group expects 7.4% average annual growth for its adjusted core earnings in the period, versus 7% under its previous plan.

Adjusted net income is projected to rise by around 4% each year on average, up from 3% in the previous strategy.

The group also promised a minimum annual dividend growth of 3%, starting from its payout on its 2024 results.

Net debt is expected to rise to 19 billion euros by 2027, with the average cost of debt projected to rise to 2.6%.

Part of the investments will be dedicated to the Adriatic Line, the new pipeline aimed at boosting capacity to transport gas from southern Italy - where the fuel arrives from Africa, to the industrialized north and abroad.

The infrastructure will be hydrogen-ready to be part of a new network dubbed SoutH2, aimed at bringing fuel from Africa to northern Europe in the long term.