school energy&environment

Natural gas in Italy

In Italy, imported natural gas is introduced into the national network at seven entry points, where the network connects to the import pipelines (Tarvisio, Gorizia, Passo Gries, Mazara del Vallo, Gela) and at the LNG regasification terminals (Panigaglia, Cavarzere). Italy’s major supplier is Russia; 51% of natural gas imports originate from Russia and is injected into the national network at the entry point of Tarvisio and Gorizia. The second most important exporter is Libya with 13% and Algeria (13%); natural gas from Libya and Algeria is injected into the national network at the entry point of Mazara del Vallo in Sicily. The imports from Netherlands (8%) and Norway (5%) follow. Natural gas produced in Italy is injected into the national network at 51 entry points from the production facilities or from their collection and treatment plants; natural gas storage facilities are also connected to the network.
The gas distribution network reaches cities on the plains and in numerous valleys, bringing natural gas directly into the vast majority of homes. The transport of natural gas in Italy occurs at two main levels. The first, called “primary distribution”, involves transport at a national scale through large pipelines. The second level or “secondary distribution” supplies gas locally through a widespread system. Primary distribution is guaranteed by a 29,300 kilometre-long gas pipeline network that spans the whole of Italy, with the exception of Sardinia. A new gas pipeline is being built to transport natural gas from Algeria to Italy via Sardinia. This new pipeline, called Galsi (the acronym of Gasdotto Algeria Sardegna Italia) will be completed in 2018.
In Italy natural gas is distributed for civil use (42%) and for industrial and thermoelectric uses (around 52%). Secondary distribution is carried out by municipal companies, local governments or private companies. The local companies that receive natural gas at delivery points outside the cities oversee its distribution through their networks in over 5,000 municipalities, delivering natural gas to families, commercial businesses and small industries.