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Overview of the Italian natural gas sector

Vincenzo Bianco (DIME/TEC, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy)

International Journal of Energy Sector Management

ISSN: 1750-6220

Article publication date: 4 January 2018

Issue publication date: 20 March 2018

231

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the natural gas sector in Italy, with a specific focus on the regulatory framework, the development of infrastructures and the supply and demand balance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research has been developed by applying qualitative and quantitative methodologies. In particular, a review and a qualitative analysis have been proposed to analyze the regulatory framework and the development of infrastructure, whereas the consumption trend is quantitatively examined by means of the decomposition analysis.

Findings

This study highlights how the legislation is complete and in line with European Union (EU) prescriptions, and how the infrastructure is quite well-developed, even though many expected developments are on hold due to the current market conditions. The supply and demand balance highlights a decreasing trend of the consumption owing to the aggressive development of renewables and permanence of a weak economic growth. Finally, the decomposition analysis of total and sectorial natural gas demand has emphasized that the increase of energy intensity can be considered responsible for a large share of consumption between 1995 and 2014.

Originality/value

The paper details the status of the natural gas sector in Italy, which is one of the largest consumers of natural gas within the EU. Despite its importance, the Italian natural gas sector has not been subjected to extensive research, and this paper represents a first attempt to provide an overview of the sector.

Keywords

Citation

Bianco, V. (2018), "Overview of the Italian natural gas sector", International Journal of Energy Sector Management, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 151-168. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJESM-01-2017-0006

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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