Claudio Descalzi, leader of Italy’s largest energy group, Eni, emphasized that if Gazprom completes the deals planned for the coming months, Italy could weather the winter without relying on Russian gas. The assessment highlights the country’s need for solid supply arrangements to safeguard households and industry during colder months.
He noted that without any new flows from the east, the country would not be fully prepared yet. Preparation would ramp up in the autumn-winter period of 2022/23, and the key task is to wrap up the agreements that have been pursued over the last four to five months. That buildup of commitments is central to ensuring stability when temperatures drop and demand peaks occur.
At present, Italian gas储存 facilities are about 54% full, which is below the target for the season. The expectation is to see storage rise to the 70-80% range, aided by a return of gas supplies from Algeria in the autumn. This replenishment is seen as a critical pillar of resilience, helping to cushion the impact of any future supply disruptions.
Descalzi warned that there will probably be heightened alert and some restrictions on consumption, yet a diverse mix of sources should still enable the country to get through the winter. The emphasis is on diversified imports and strategic storage as essential lines of defense against potential supply shocks.
It was also reported that transport along the two lines of the Turkish Stream would be paused from June 21 to 28, a disruption that underscores the broader fragility and timing concerns in the regional energy landscape.