Agreement for new activities in the natural gas sector, also to increase exports to Italy, and on joint projects in favor of the de-carbonization and energy transition of Angola. This is the declaration of intent signed Wednesday evening in Luanda during the mission of the ministers Luigi Di Maio and Roberto Cingolani, accompanied by the CEO Claudio Descalzi. «We have reached another important agreement with Angola for the increase of gas supplies. Italy’s commitment to differentiate sources of supply is confirmed: constant action in defense of Italian families and businesses ”, commented Di Maio.
The satisfaction of Di Maio and Cingolani
«Exactly one month after my first visit to Angola, Italy’s commitment to differentiate sources of energy supply is confirmed. Constant action in defense of Italian families and businesses ”, continued the Foreign Minister. “This is an important agreement that gives impetus to the partnership between Italy and Angola in the sectors of renewables, biofuels, LNG and training in the technological and environmental fields,” said Cingolani, according to a note from the Farnesina. “Not only a step forward in the diversification of gas sources, but also an important contribution to supporting the global ecological transition,” added the minister.
Call Draghi-Lourenço
Prime Minister Mario Draghi was to lead the Italian delegation in Luanda who, forced to stay at home after the Covid infection, had the opportunity to hear the President of the Republic of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço on the phone. The mission, centered on the need to find alternative energy sources to Russian ones and strengthen bilateral relations, will continue on Thursday 21 April also in the Republic of Congo, with a stop in Brazzaville. With the same goal.
Objective: 12 billion cubic meters more
Putting together the recent agreements, closed with Algeria and Mozambique, Italy aims to replace 50% of the energy supplied by Moscow by 2023. Especially on the gas front, which sees the country dependent for 40% on flows arriving from Russia. In the Republic of Congo Di Maio and Cingolani, always accompanied by Descalzi, will meet the President of the Republic Denis Sassou N’Guesso. And on the agenda there is another declaration of intent, again on strengthened cooperation in the energy sector. Italy is therefore racing to diversify its sources. The aim is to fill the storage areas with 12 billion cubic meters (plus 4 for the emergency) by winter to cope with the cold months. And particular interest is also being given to imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) even if the issue of regasification capacity remains.