Italy Turns to Algeria for Gas as West Asia War Hits Energy Supply | Firstpost Africa | N18G
This is an AI-generated summary and has not been vetted by the Firstpost editorial team
Italy is scrambling to secure energy supplies as disruptions linked to conflict in West Asia strain Europe’s energy network. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Algeria, where she held talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to deepen cooperation in gas exploration and long-term supply. The push comes as reduced LNG flows from Qatar, which previously met about ten per cent of Italy’s demand, create supply gaps. While Algeria already provides a significant share of Italy’s gas, its capacity is limited, its infrastructure is stretched, and new projects will take years to materialise. A pricing dispute has also emerged, with Algeria seeking market rates while Rome offers investment incentives under its Mattei Plan. The development underscores a broader pattern: Europe is shifting energy dependence rather than eliminating it, with risks of instability persisting.
