The European Union is turning to Algeria, Africa’s leading gas exporter, to fill the void left by Russian supplies.
On Tuesday in Algiers, Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy hailed the long-term strategic partnership with Algeria as Russia cut off gas supplies to Europe in alleged retaliation for Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine via Moscow.
“As the relationship with Russia, so far the EU’s largest gas supplier is irreversibly severed, we are looking to reliable EU suppliers to fill this void. And in this regard, we offer Algeria a long-term strategic partnership,” said Kadri Simson, European Union Energy Commissioner.
“The supply of electricity is very important for Europe, but we must have an electrical interconnection with Europe by laying high voltage cables under the Mediterranean,” said Mohamed Arkab, Algerian Energy Minister.
Algerian Prime Minister Aimene Benabderrahmane, however, said state-owned hydrocarbon company Sonatrach had put in place an “accelerated program” to increase production.
Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab added that Algeria hopes to produce up to 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035
