Italy hit by Russian gas shortage

Italy has had to dip into its gas reserves to make up for a shortfall in supplies from Russia, Italian energy group ENI said on Wednesday.

It says it had to use four million cubic metres of gas from reserves because supplies were 5% below demand.

Russia has denied reports that it is holding back gas for its domestic market because of freezing conditions.

Italy’s Industry Minister Claudio Scajola has now called a crisis meeting with energy firms to discuss the issue.

The announcement by ENI came after news agencies reported that Russia’s state-owned Gazprom had cut supplies by 20% to parts of Europe because of cold weather.

BBC