As part of efforts to ensure EU’s energy security, EU Commission spokesperson for Climate Action and Energy, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen (photo), has announced that Algeria will continue to be European Union’s main partner as regards the supply of gas.

“Estimations of the EU gas consumption, whatever was the scenario, show that Europe will remain a great gas market and will import from other external suppliers. In this regard, Algeria will be a key supplier for Europe and will even be able to increase its market shares," Itkonen said.

EU's energy strategy which was implemented over a year ago by the EU Commission with regards to LNG, centers on the construction of new terminals and their connection to the EU's gas pipelines network, which creates an opportunity and a challenge for Algeria’s gas in Europe. “There will be other entry points for Algerian gas in Europe and further competition with a growing number of other gas suppliers. The real challenge relates to production: investments in new gas exploration and production projects must be revived,” she stated.

She added that restoring production and investment in the sector in Algeria involves a regulatory framework and conditions in which foreign companies work. 

According to the spokesperson of the EU Climate and Energy Commissioner, Miguel Arias Cañete, Algeria is the third supplier of gas to Europe after Russia and Norway and the country has excellent natural resources in shale gas and renewable energies, Algeria Press Service reports.

Anita Fatunji