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Virgil Popescu: “We can import LNG from Israel, via Egypt”
Romania could start importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Israel via Egypt in order to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, Romania's energy ministry said on Wednesday.
"This morning we had a very good dialogue with the representatives of NewMed Energy, a Delek group company, which exploits the largest offshore gas field in Israel. We told them that we were interested in diversifying our supply sources and that we could import LNG from Israel via Egypt. We must seize all the opportunities to strengthen Romania's energy security," Romanian energy minister Virgil Popescu said in a press release.
Delek Drilling changed its name to NewMed Energy earlier this year, and announced a strategic restructuring, deepening of the operating areas into alternative energy segments, including production of hydrogen, promotion of carbon capture and storage, and investment in renewable energy, as well as exploration for natural gas in new areas.
Virgil Popescu and a delegation comprising CEOs of Romanian nuclear power plant operator Nuclearelectrica, hydropower producer Hidroelectrica and natural gas producer Romgaz visited Israel this week in order to secure cooperation in the energy sector.
Popescu said in a post on social media on Wednesday that he also met with his Israeli counterpart Karine Elharrar, who said that Israel is determined to support Europe's efforts to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. The Romanian delegation also held talks with representatives of Israel's largest power supplier - Israel Electric Corporation, and renewable energy projects developer Doral-Energy.
Earlier this month, Popescu said during a talk-show on local broadcaster Profit TV that Romania covers up to 28% of its natural gas needs with imports, most of them from Russia.