Italy's industry and energy ministers, Adolfo Urso and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, have scheduled a meeting for October 8 with the country's refiners. The objective of this meeting is to discuss strategies for boosting domestic fuel production to alleviate the impact of global supply disruptions on prices. Key participants invited include representatives from Sonatrach, Socar-IP, Iplom, KPI, Alma Petroli, Ludoil, state-controlled Eni, Saras, and Innovhub, alongside Unem (Unione Energie per la Mobilità).
The government's initiative comes as petrol and diesel prices continue to strain consumers, remaining above €2 per litre despite significant efforts to reduce them. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has allocated nearly €3 billion ($3.41 billion) this year to fund temporary cuts to fuel excise duties. However, these measures have not been enough to bring prices below the targeted €2 ceiling, according to data from the industry ministry.
As of September 21, petrol averaged €2.14/L, which is 9% higher than the EU average, while diesel stood at €2.28/L, 6-7% higher than the EU average. These prices represent annual increases of over 20%, contributing to broader inflation and intensifying political pressure on the government ahead of the 2027 general election. The meeting aims to assess how national refineries can increase output of key products to stabilize the market.
