Andrea Stegher, the incoming president of the International Gas Union, estimates that Israel will be able to supply up to 10% of Europe's gas consumption within several years.

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Stegher visited Israel for the National Energy Conference of the Israel Energy and Environment Institute, which was held this week. In an interview with Israel Hayom he emphasized that Israel must develop its energy market in order to meet this goal.

Q: Has the world overcome the energy crisis created by the war in Ukraine?

"No. But we are working on ways to overcome the crisis, and every particle is important. The Middle East, and Israel in particular, will be able to play an important role in contributing to solving this crisis. There is already an extensive field for exporting gas from Israel to Europe, while also ensuring the needs of the local economy."

Q: It seems that the world is divided into East and West also regarding the energy market: India, China, and other countries in Asia continue to purchase resources from Russia, while the West is boycotting it.

"To be honest, Europe has not boycotted Russia's gas and, in fact, has been buying more gas from it in recent months. As a member of the International Gas Union, I hope that the problem in Ukraine will be resolved. At the same time, we have to ensure that there are more gas resources available for countries like China, Indonesia, India, and Bangladesh, because if no gas is available for them – they will start mining coal, and this is bad for the environment."

Q: Israel is a small and new country, as far as the energy and gas sector is concerned. To what extent will Israel be able to export to Europe's gas market, in 10-15 years from now?

"Being a small country does not prevent one from contributing. Especially in regard to Europe, Israel is in a good position to solve the problems we are facing. During my visit here, I saw good moves that are already being taken. We need to disconnect from 100 billion cubic meters of Russian gas. I believe that we should be striving for 5-10% in the coming few years. For this to happen, we must develop the existing gas resources, but also promote additional investments. And, of course, there is a significant change in Europe – from immediate supply requirements to long-term needs."

Q: In your opinion, what is the best way to export gas?

"I can say that we see the LNG (a process of liquefying gas and transporting it in tankers) as the most efficient way. But it is most important that we hurry up and invest in it and that the companies choose the right one."

Q: What about a pipeline from Israel to Europe, like the East Med that is being talked about – is this realistic?

"This will be the first of its kind in terms of infrastructure. Technically it can be done, but there are other elements that are needed in order to make it have economic sense. From Israel's point of view, the development of resources and infrastructure is the most important."

At Foreign Minister Eli Cohen's meeting with his Italian counterpart this week, they agreed that the countries will promote energy cooperation in the Mediterranean, following the crisis in Europe.

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Qatar has pledged $60 million to help construct a natural gas pipeline running from Israel into the Gaza Strip, the Qatari government said Thursday. The project aims to ease Gaza's long-term energy crisis.

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Natural gas currently flowing through a pipeline in Israel from the eastern Mediterranean will be transported via a new extension into Gaza, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced on its website. 

The eastern Mediterranean has become one of the world's major offshore drilling zones, with lucrative deepwater gas fields recently discovered in Israel's territorial waters.

The European Union also has pledged over $24 million to fund the pipeline on the Gaza side of the border, the ministry added.

The statement did not give a date for the pipeline's completion, but the official confirmation of funding after weeks of anticipation signals a diplomatic breakthrough between the many parties to the project: Europeans, Israelis, Palestinians and Qataris.

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh praised Qatari and European support, saying the project would "solve the electricity problem absolutely," according to the Qatari statement.

Qatar has become a major donor to the Palestinians, providing $20 million to Gaza each month since 2018. The money has helped Hamas cover the salaries of its civil servants and provided monthly $100 million stipends to scores of impoverished families. Qatar has provided additional funds for development hospitals like roads and hospitals.

Qatari aid, delivered with Israeli consent, has provided some relief to the local economy and is seen as a factor in preventing simmering tensions between Israel and Hamas from boiling over into renewed conflict.

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