Italy Has Unique Opportunity to Become Energy Hub

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the energy crisis has presented Italy with a unique opportunity to become an energy gateway between Africa and Europe under the 'Mattei Plan', named after Eni's founder Enrico Mattei.

• Few details are known about the strategy but suggestions are based on investing into, and building interconnections with MENA countries and using gas as a step to cooperation on renewables.
• Meloni said the plan would help frame future policies to boost development in Africa as Italy also seeks to curb mass immigration. “I am convinced this crisis can also become an opportunity,” she said.
• Italy currently has three major gas pipelines Transmed, Greenstream and Melendugno connecting to fields in Algeria, Libya and Azerbaijan, through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline.
• In the past decade Italy has invested in infrastructure to enable the reverse flow of gas from Italy into northern Europe.