Israel to export more gas to Egypt as cooperation grows
Israeli-Egyptian cooperation on gas matters has increased significantly in recent years, despite Egyptian criticism of Israeli policy towards the Palestinians.
Israel will start exporting more natural gas to Egypt, its top energy official said on Wednesday, a move that will further cooperation between the two countries and may help alleviate Egypt’s electricity issues.
Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz said that the country will increase exports to Egypt by an additional 38.7 billion cubic meters (bcm) over the next 11 years. Production from Israel’s Tamar gas field in the Mediterranean Sea will also increase by 6 bcm per year starting in 2026 — a 60% increase from current levels, according to multiple reports.
Egypt did not immediately comment.
Why it matters: Egypt began importing Israeli gas in 2020 and imports have risen considerably since then. Last year, Egypt imported a record 6.27 bcm of natural gas from Israel. This was an increase of 48.5% from the year prior, according to the Joint Organizations Data Initiative, which tracks global energy statistics.
