Italy’s energy giant Eni says it has has signed a gas deal with Congo-Brazzaville to increase gas supplies by more than 4.5 billion cubic metres a year.
The deal is the latest move by Italy to reduce reliance on Russian gas. Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio announced the deal alongside Congolese foreign minister Jean Claude Gakosso in Brazzaville on Thursday, saying that the Russian attack on Ukraine has obliged Italy to diversify its sources of energy.
Italy, like most countries in Europe, is trying to cut its reliance on Russian natural gas imports quickly, with leaders recognizing that their payments help fund Moscow’s war, but Umberto Triulzi, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Rome, Sapienza, believes Italy doesn’t has the proper arragement for such a swift change.
Under the Congo-Brazzaville agreement, development of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project will be stepped up so that production can begin in 2023.
“We are building new energy partnerships with many friendly countries,” Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio was quoted as saying.
Recall that News Central reported that the European country also signed gas deals this week with two other African nations; Algeria and Angola amid tensions in Russia and Ukraine.
The agreement with Angola intends to enhance gas exports and lessen the European country’s reliance on Russian gas supplies.
It was signed in Luanda, Angola’s capital, by Angolan Mineral Resources Minister Diamantino Azevedo and Italian Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani.
The gas agreement boosts Italy’s connections with Angola. The contract boosts the relationship between Italy and Angola.
According to reports, the joint energy projects would involve renewables and liquified natural gas (LNG).