Italy is seeking alternative gas supplies, particularly from Algeria, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni prepares to visit Algiers amid prolonged disruptions to imports from Qatar following Iranian strikes.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to travel to Algeria on Wednesday as Rome intensifies efforts to secure alternative gas supplies following disruptions to deliveries from Qatar.
Italy’s Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said on Friday that the government was working with Algeria to reinforce its gas supply network after Iranian strikes on Qatar appeared to halt Qatari exports for the foreseeable future.
He noted that state-owned energy companies are holding talks with suppliers in Algeria, the United States and Azerbaijan to increase gas imports, with the government supporting and facilitating these discussions.
Algeria has become one of Italy’s primary gas providers, supplying roughly 30% of the country’s annual consumption after Rome’s move to replace Russian gas following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Qatar, which previously supplied roughly 10% of Italy’s gas needs, informed Italian energy firm Edison that it would not be able to fulfil its contractual obligations for April due to the recent attacks on gas facilities.
QatarEnergy’s CEO warned that the pause in deliveries could last for some time.
Italy’s state-controlled energy group Eni, which has long-term contracts with Algeria, said it continues to receive gas volumes in line with existing agreements.
Meloni last met with Algeria’s president during his visit to Rome in July 2025, when the two countries signed a series of agreements covering energy and telecommunications.