Italy's industry and energy ministers, Adolfo Urso and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, have scheduled a meeting for October 8 with the country's oil refiners. The primary objective of this gathering is to discuss strategies for boosting domestic fuel production to alleviate the impact of high petrol and diesel prices on consumers. This initiative comes as global supply disruptions continue to affect energy markets, pushing fuel costs higher.
Despite government efforts, including spending nearly €3 billion ($3.41 billion) on temporary cuts to fuel excise duties in 2026, prices at the pump remain persistently high, exceeding the key €2 per liter threshold for both petrol and diesel. As of September 21, petrol averaged €2.14/L (9% higher than the EU average) and diesel €2.28/L (6-7% higher than the EU average), representing annual increases of over 20%. These elevated prices are a significant concern for consumers and the government, particularly ahead of the 2027 general election.
Key participants invited to the October 8 meeting include representatives from Sonatrach, Socar-IP, Iplom, KPI, Alma Petroli, Ludoil, state-controlled Eni, Saras, and Innovhub, in addition to Unem (Union of Energy for Mobility). The discussions will focus on how these national refineries can increase the output of essential fuel products to mitigate the effects of the current international situation on Italy's supply. The government hopes that by enhancing domestic production, they can better stabilize prices and reduce reliance on external markets.
