Italian Minister of Energy Security announced the overcoming of dependence on Russian gas

Italian Environment and Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto-Fratin said the country had effectively overcome its dependence on Russian gas. This was due to an increase in imports from the East through the Trans Adriatic gas pipeline, as well as supplies from Algeria and Libya, he added.

“If earlier 40% of our gas demand was met by supplies from Russia, today they cover a little more than 10%. We have essentially overcome our dependence on Moscow in this matter,” the minister said in an interview with the newspaper. Corriere della Sera.

Gilberto Pichetto-Fratin added that the main guarantee for Italy would be the receipt of reduced natural gas (LNG). According to him, regasifiers will allow buying gas at the best price.

Italy imports up to 90% of the gas it consumes. Prior to the start of the special military operation, Russia was the largest supplier with a 40% share. However, after February 24, 2022, the Italian government announced its intention to completely abandon Russian supplies by 2025, in particular, by attracting large volumes of LNG.

At the end of 2022, Algeria became the largest gas exporter to Italy. In addition, according to the Italian authorities, Libya can significantly increase its supplies (from 2 billion to 9 billion cubic meters per year).

For more details, see Kommersant’s article “Italy replaces Russian gas.”

Lusine Balasyan