Energy crisis in Europe – gas close to Israel instead of Russia? – News

Prime Minister Jair Lapid is offering more gas supplies to Europe. But there are still some obstacles to overcome.

All about this: In light of the lack of gas supplies from Russia, Israel is offering to transport more natural gas to Europe soon. Prime Minister Jair Lapid said during his visit to Berlin that this could be possible from next year. According to Lapid, Israel could one day replace about 10 percent of Russian gas.

So Israel: The country produces much more natural gas than it consumes itself. The gas fields are located off the Israeli coast in the Mediterranean and were discovered about ten years ago. “This suddenly put Israel, which until then had no natural resources at its disposal, on the map of energy producers,” says Tel Aviv-based journalist Gisela Dax.

The question that arises is whether Egyptian factories can keep pace with export plans.

Important to Israel: “The gas reserves have not only made Israel more independent, but they are also strengthening regional ties – like Egypt or Jordan,” says Dutch. This will engage Israel more closely in the region – and with planned gas deliveries to Europe, these relations will also be strengthened. “Both are very important to Israel,” the journalist asserts.

These are the plans: The gas is scheduled to arrive from Israel to Egypt via a pipeline, where it is liquefied and shipped to Europe in gas tankers. A pipeline to Egypt is already running. A declaration of intent regarding plans to export to Europe was also concluded in June between Israel, Egypt and the European Union. “However, the question arises whether the Egyptian factories will be able to keep up with the volume of planned exports of gas from Israel,” Dax says.

Another project: In addition, an agreement was signed to build the so-called East Met pipeline between Israel, Cyprus and Greece in 2020. One day it will transport gas from Israel through Cyprus to Greece and then to Italy. However, the construction of the line – according to plans, which is supposed to take seven years – has not yet begun. The delay has geopolitical reasons, according to journalist Dash: “Turkey wants to have a say in Cyprus and there are Lebanese allegations in the Mediterranean.”