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Published 11 hours ago • loading... • Updated 15 hours ago
Europe explores energy security alternatives after Iran war's turmoil
EU leaders are considering pipelines, cables and renewable projects to secure energy supplies and reduce dependence on routes through conflict zones, officials said.
European Commission President Ursula Von Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are partnering with Gulf countries to develop energy infrastructure bypassing the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran war increased import costs by €25 billion .
Following the Iran war, Aramco ramped up transport to 7 million barrels per day, prompting the European Union to seek resilient export routes. French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux noted leaders are discussing infrastructure going "outside of the track of the Strait of Hormuz."
The Great Seas Interconnector, an EU-backed electricity cable stretching 1,208 kilometers , aims to connect power grids across Europe, Cyprus, and Israel. Gallia Lindenstrauss of the Israel-based Institute for National Security Studies called it a "very pragmatic solution for the modern energy needs."
Realizing the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor requires diplomatic normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a complex hurdle. Gabriel Mitchell of the German Marshall Fund warned that collaborative energy projects in Gulf countries will take considerable time to develop.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright described the Eastern Mediterranean last week as an "increasingly important region for global energy development," as American initiatives foster closer energy ties among Greece, Cyprus, and Israel to strengthen regional security.