TY  - JOUR
AB  - 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.
VL  - 12
IS  - 1
SN  - 1750-6220
DO  - 10.1108/IJESM-01-2017-0006
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/IJESM-01-2017-0006
AU  - Bianco Vincenzo
PY  - 2018
Y1  - 2018/01/01
TI  - Overview of the Italian natural gas sector
T2  - International Journal of Energy Sector Management
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 151
EP  - 168
Y2  - 2024/04/25
ER  -