Report: Italy cuts dependence on Russian gas to near zero

ROME, Aug 18 (PRIME) -- Italy has reduced its dependence on Russian gas to almost zero, Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin told newspaper il Messaggero on Friday.

"We can absolutely look at the next winter with more calm than it was the case last year. This is in many respects thanks to the policy of diversification led by the Italian government. Russian methane shipped to Europe through the gas pipelines amounted to about 40% of E.U. consumption until last year: we can speak about a near-zero dependence speaking about Italy today," the official said.

The country imports pipeline gas from various sources, has raised the share of liquefied natural gas bought at sea terminals and the output of green energy, and expects to receive two thirds of energy from renewable sources by 2030, he said.

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