Media: Italy eyes Libyan gas boost as Europe seeks new energy supplies

Italian lawmakers have visited Libya to explore expanding energy cooperation as Europe looks for alternative gas sources amid global supply disruptions linked to the war in the Persian Gulf, Politico reports.

The war-scarred North African country already supplies Italy via the Greenstream pipeline, but flows have declined sharply since Libya’s 2011 civil war, which left the country divided and unstable.

Greenstream, operated by Italy’s Eni and Libya’s National Oil Corporation, can transport up to 11 billion cubic metres of gas annually—around one-sixth of Italy’s demand—but is currently running at just 10% of capacity due to rising domestic consumption in Libya and limited infrastructure use.

Interest in Libyan energy has increased following the loss of roughly 10% of Italy’s gas supply after damage to a major Qatari facility in March, prompting Rome to seek alternative suppliers including Algeria, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia.

The push comes amid broader Western efforts, including US-backed diplomatic engagement, to stabilise Libya and unlock its vast but underdeveloped energy reserves, estimated at around 80 trillion cubic feet.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also discussed strengthening energy cooperation with Libya’s Tripoli-based leadership, signalling growing political interest in deeper ties despite the country’s ongoing instability.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov