Italy and its North African gas interconnections: A potential Mediterranean gas ‘hub’?

Italy, one of Europe’s biggest natural gas markets, has started 2023 with a remarkably active energy diplomacy. In January, Italy’s new prime minister undertook official visits to Algeria and Libya to strengthen Italy’s energy trade relationship with its southern Mediterranean gas suppliers in North Africa.  Given Italy’s large gas market, extensive gas infrastructure and its gas pipeline interconnections with Algeria and Libya, could a new Mediterranean natural gas “hub” emerge to supply North African gas not only to Italy, but also to other European energy markets?

By: Mostefa Ouki