«With the agreements on African gas, the dependence on Moscow has been overcome. Now Mattei’s plan for growth»- Corriere.it

The war in Ukraine continues. Where are we with the emancipation from Russian gas?

«While previously 40% of our gas requirements came from Russia, today we withdraw just over 10% – replies the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, from Sapporo where the G7 is underway -. We have therefore effectively overcome our dependence on Moscow, increasing the import of gas via pipeline from the East with TAP, and from Africa thanks to new agreements with Algeria and Libya. But the real guarantee is provided by the regasifiers, which will allow us to buy gas at the best price all over the world, waiting to increasingly develop the energy produced from renewable sources and to understand when it will be possible to implement fourth-generation nuclear power».

What does the Mattei plan the government talks about concretely consist of?

“On the Mattei Plan, President Meloni has clearly defined the guidelines and the goal is not only to make Italy the energy hub of the Mediterranean, but also to develop growth projects for African countries”.

What are the results of the G7 Energy and Environment meeting underway in Sapporo, Japan?

“The summit confirmed the strong alignment of G7 members in accelerating the transition to neutral emissions systems, guaranteeing the necessary security of supply and promoting investments in the most strategic supply chains. The three global crises represented by climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution must be tackled by sharing with all economies, developed and not. On the climate, the G7 countries have once again demonstrated their ability to play a leading role, translating the commitment to reduce emissions and maintain the limit of 1.5 degrees of global temperature increase into concrete actions”.

Minister, let’s come to Italy. Arera says that the price of gas will rise by 5% in the third quarter and 15% in the fourth and that of electricity by 10 and 25% respectively. Aid to households and businesses has only been extended until June.
«We are well aware that the price trend is also linked to seasonal factors and therefore it is possible to imagine an increase in the price of gas in the coming months due to the rush of all countries to replenish their stocks for next winter. This despite the fact that I can guarantee that for Italy storage is at a level such as to leave us quite calm for 2024. However, two thirds of our electricity is still produced with gas and therefore we are strongly influenced by its price. We will decide on aid to families and businesses in June ».

The government has decided to use all the margin of the highest deficit in 2023, equal to 3.4 billion, to cut the tax wedge on employees. Therefore, it does not seem that there are resources on the expensive energy front.

«At the moment it is not quantifiable how many resources will be needed. I repeat, the only certain thing is that we will not back down from the possible need to protect Italian families and businesses».

The development of renewables encounters continuous obstacles in Italy. What do you think of the no from the president of Sicily, Renato Schifani, to the new photovoltaic systems?

«We are in constant contact with President Schifani and the interlocution between the ministry and the representatives of the territory is allowing us to proceed quickly with the provisions that identify and encourage renewable energy production plants. Our common goal is to produce more and more clean energy at the lowest cost for Italian families and businesses. I believe that, at a national level, the right solution must be found to compensate the territories».

Minister, where are we on two other delicate dossiers with Brussels: the ban on the registration of non-zero-emission cars from 2035 and the directive on green homes?

«These are two battles that the government has carried on in the interest of Italian citizens. On green houses: if with 110 billion we have made 360,000 properties more efficient, how do we expect to be able to intervene on almost eleven million real estate units by 2033? With what funds? Funded by whom? Same reasoning on the obligation to impose electricity as the only system from 2035. We cannot afford to slam the door in the face of research into e-fuel and biofuels».