8.5 billion cubic meters of gas first stored and then put into the network are tempting. They are a good deal and all concentrated in the Rovigo regasification terminal. Two expert energy infrastructure companies – Vitti and Ikav – have joined forces to acquire the majority of Adriatic Lng (LNG Terminal) owner of the plant. The cost of the operation is estimated at 800 million euros and should be completed before the summer.
The news is of great importance for the functions that the regasifiers have in this phase of diversification in supplies. Italy has long been divided on whether or not to build new ones. As happens on strategic issues the country has shown inconceivable limits. How many energy and landscape experts have we put up with without ever self-criticism? The invasion of a sovereign state by our major supplier has silenced them.
Gas is still needed
Leaving control of the Rovigo terminal are ExxonMobil (70.7%) and QatarEnergy (22%). Snam owns 7%, but there is no precise information on the possible sale of the share. What is important is the continuity of regasification as a medium-long term activity. A good investment because evidently the Vitti -Ikav consortium has thoroughly studied the current configuration of the Italian system.
The 8.5 billion of gas stored off the coast of Rovigo are the 14.5% of national consumption. Upstream there are supply contracts for the millions of cubic meters we need. In fact, our energy security, for better or for worse, is linked to these structures, to the gas pipelines that we will one day be able to do without. Perhaps.
