Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 06/2010

The Mediterranean Energy Scene: What Now? What Next?

Silvia Colombo, Ian Lesser

April 2010

Istituto Affari Internazionali

Abstract

The paper provides a summary of the key issues raised in the third meeting of the Mediterranean Strategy Group which was convened in Rome to discuss the problem of energy security and cooperation in the Mediterranean from a transatlantic perspective. The meeting looked into the impact of geopolitical and economic variables on energy security around the Mediterranean, including the role and interests of “new” actors such as China, Russia and India. It also examined the outlook for new oil, gas, nuclear and electric power transmission projects, the prospects for alternative energy schemes, and the implications for strategy and policy affecting governments and the private sectors.