Algeria is set to overtake Russia as Italy’s largest gas supplier thanks to a deal struck Monday by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi as Rome scrambles to replace Russian gas.
Russia supplies about 40 percent of Italy’s natural gas, but that dependence is now seen as a danger following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Indeed, although Draghi is highly committed to Italy’s role as a close U.S. ally in NATO, Rome’s long-standing reliance on Russia for hydrocarbons has tied Italy’s hands when it comes to economic countermeasures against President Vladimir Putin.
“Right after the invasion, I announced that Italy will move with speed to reduce dependence on Russian gas. This agreement is a significant response to that strategic objective. There will be others,” Draghi said after meeting Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Under the deal between Algeria’s Sonatrach and Italy’s Eni, Algeria will send an additional 9 billion cubic meters of gas to Italy by next year year and in 2024.
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In 2021, Italy imported approximately 29 bcm of gas from Russia, and 22.5 bcm from Algeria, according to Italy’s economic development ministry. If the deal is upheld, Algeria would replace Russia as Italy’s top gas source by next year.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Eni boss Claudio Descalzi have been on a diplomatic charm offensive, visiting gas producers Azerbaijan, Mozambique, Republic of the Congo, Qatar, Angola and Algeria.
“Unfortunately we are late, we should have diversified much earlier but we have plenty of partners and friends around the world,” Di Maio said ahead of Monday’s visit.
Visits by Draghi to Mozambique, Angola and the Congo in the next few weeks are under discussion, according to an official.
Algeria needs cash to ramp up its gas output, as it hasn’t invested much in new production in the past three decades while domestic consumption has soared, said Davide Tabarelli, an energy analyst for Italian consultancy Nomisma. The Transmed pipeline linking Algeria and Italy is not running at full capacity because Algeria doesn’t have the extra gas to fill it.
Alessandro Lanza, a professor of energy policy at Luiss University in Rome, said Algeria will need new investment in infrastructure to increase production as it cannot divert gas that it currently sends to Spain. “Natural gas is not just a tap that you can open.” He estimated it would take 12 to 18 months to boost production.
Last month, Eni and Sonatrach announced that they found a “significant” oil and gas field in the Algerian desert, which they will jointly exploit.
While Italy is boosting ties with Algeria, relations with Spain, the other main buyer of Algerian gas, are in the deep freeze.
Spain annoyed Algeria by backing a Moroccan effort to grant limited autonomy to Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony. Morocco annexed the territory in 1975, while Algeria supports Western Sahara’s independence.
Last year, Algeria shut down a gas pipeline running across Morocco to Spain, although it insists that supplies to the Iberian Peninsula will continue through the remaining undersea Medgaz pipeline.
Algeria can’t divert its gas commitments away from Spain to Italy, although Madrid could voluntarily renounce some of its share and replace it with liquefied natural gas, Tabarelli said.
If it has to, Italy could replace much of the Russian gas it buys by boosting gas imports from Africa and increasing LNG capacity, Lanza said, although that will come at a cost. “In two years, Italy could have reduced its dependence on Russian gas from 40 percent to a safe 20 percent.”
ABOUT PUBLIC OPINIONS
Public Opinions was founded by Makerere University students in 2004 in Lumumba Hall Makerere University and it operated as a study group on students welfare as well as Networking.
In 2008 it was incorporated as a company Limited by Guarantee by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
Public Opinions work towards attainment of Uganda Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
CORE SERVICES
- Issues Research
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- Training and Mentorship
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- Study Tours and Exchange Programs
MILESTONES/SOME ACHIEVEMENTS OF PUBLIC OPINIONS
- In 2009, Public Opinions organised a High Level United NATIONS Millennium Development Goals Dialogue at Hotel Africa Kampala and it attracted stakeholders from the Public and Private Sector, Religious Leaders and Diplomats.
- In 2009, Public Opinions organised 5 Small and Medium Enterprises Sessions for Youth Leaders such as at Gretton Hotel in Masaka which was addressed by Brig David Muhoozi who was commander of the Armoury Brigade in Masaka. Others Speakers included Prof Maggie Kigozi, Ambassador of ICELAND to UGANDA, Dr Kassim Omar who was Director of East Africa Business Council,etc. The Luwero SMEs Sessions for Youth Leaders organised by Public Opinions was presided over by Katikiro of Buganda JB Walusimbi and Hajji Abdul Nadduli.
- In 2010, Public Opinions organised the Buganda Youth Leaders Conference on wealth Creation. The conference was held at Katikomu Country Hotel in Kayunga and it was presided over by the Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi who was the minister for Security and Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).It was attended by youth leaders from Central Region. Key speakers were from Uganda Investment Authority and Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID).
- In 2011,Public Opinions organised a Kampala Wealth Creation Awareness Conference for Youth Leaders
- In 2012,Public Opinions organised the 2012 Uganda Responsible Investment Summit and Award Ceremony which was presided over by Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda
- In 2012,Public Opinions organised the Uganda Who is Who Summit at imperial Royale Hotel and launched a book titled Uganda Who is Who Book of Records launched by Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi
- In 2013, Public Opinions organised the Pearl of Africa Lfetime Achievement Award (PALITA Award) in which over 80 High Profile Personalities were awarded and inducted in the Uganda Who is who Book of Records. Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda Presided over.
- In 2014, Public Opinions organised the 2014 High Level Uganda Responsible Investmen Summit and Award Ceremony in which 50 Responsible Investments were awarded. The Ceremony was presided over by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President of the Republic of Uganda, Rt Hon Amama Mbababazi Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda and Prof Emmanuel Mutebile Governor Bank of Uganda.
- In 2017,Public Opinions recognised the Embassy of Italy to Uganda with the 2017 Uganda Transformation Award. The Award was received by the Ambassador of Italy .
- In 2017, Public Opinions recognised the European Union Delegation to Uganda with the 2017 Uganda Transformation award. The Award was received by the Ambassador of European Union Delegation to Uganda
- In November 2017,Public Opinions recognised the University of Bologna in Italy with the Global Sustainable Development Award as the oldest continuing University in the world. The Award was received by the Rector University of Bologna in his Office in the city of Bologna in Italy. This was followed with a meeting between Rector University of Bologna and Luzindana adam Buyinza Team Leader of Public Opinions.
- In 2018,Public Opinions in partnership with the Asia Africa Development Council in new Delhi India organised the Asia Africa Development Summit in New Delhi Republic of India.
- In 2016, Public Opinions and Computer Society of India together with Asia Africa development Council organised the India-Africa ICT Summit. The summit was held in New Delhi Capital of the Republic of India.
- On 22nd November 2019, Public Opinions held a High Level Uganda Responsible Investment Summit and Award Ceremony which was presided over by H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Hon Evelyn Anite Minister of State for Investment and Privatisation. During the Summit, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was declared the Uganda Peace and Development Champion by Public Opinions and 62 Uganda Responsible Investments were recognised with the 2019 Uganda Responsible Investment Award (URI Award).
- With the Outbreak of the Global Pandemic the COVID 19, Public Opinions participated in mass social media and field based Public Awareness and Advisory service to senstise the people of Uganda on COVID 19,How its transmitted and how Ugandans can stay Safe.
Since its founding in 2004, Public Opinions as been involved in mass information dissemination across the country,Public Awareness,Research,Training and mentorship of young people and in communities, Business Advisory services to small and medium enterprises in trading centres, etc.
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