Italy reduces dependence on Russian gas to 25 pc

MILAN, June 25: Italy has managed to reduce its dependence on gas imported from Russia to 25 percent from 40 percent last year as it diversifies suppliers, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Friday.
"The measures the government has put in place since the beginning of the (Ukraine) war are starting to pay off. In other words, other gas suppliers are beginning to replace Russian gas," Draghi told the Italian media in Brussels following the EU summit.   To reduce its dependence on Russian gas following its invasion of neighbour Ukraine, Italy signed a major agreement with Algeria in April on increased gas supplies.
Discussions have also been held with Qatar, Angola and Mozambique.
In addition, Italy was thinking ahead to the winter season when gas demand is higher, and "storage is going very well", Draghi said.
The measures planned by Italy "guarantee that there will be no (gas) emergency" in winter, he said. According to Italy's Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani, Italian stocks are currently at 55 percent and should reach 90 percent by the end of the year.    -AFP