Officially endorsed by Libya’s Ministry of Oil and Gas and the National Oil Corporation (NOC), LEES has become a leading platform for international energy investment and cooperation. The EuroMed Energy Security Forum will provide a dedicated space for stakeholders to examine the projects, partnerships and technologies needed to strengthen Libya’s role within Mediterranean energy markets.

Recent events have underscored the urgency of these discussions. Libya is emerging from weeks of severe nationwide electricity blackouts that disrupted the industry, strained water supplies and exposed the immediacy for grid resilience alongside new gas and renewable energy projects.

Libya Targets Higher Gas Production and Stronger European Supply

Natural gas remains central to Libya’s ambition to strengthen domestic energy security and expand its role as a supplier to European markets. The country is targeting production of nearly one billion standard cubic feet per day by 2030, supported by significant resources, existing export infrastructure and new upstream developments.

With an estimated 80 trillion cubic feet of gas resources and direct connectivity to southern Europe through the Greenstream pipeline, Libya has the foundation to increase regional energy cooperation. The NOC is also preparing to begin shale gas drilling in the second half of 2026 as it evaluates additional resources and seeks to expand long-term production potential.

Unlocking this potential will require additional supply to meet domestic energy needs while creating new export capacity. The NOC has confirmed that most of Eni’s contractual gas share from the Bahr Essalam and Wafa fields has been directed toward Libya’s domestic market, limiting available volumes for export to Italy through Greenstream.

New offshore developments are expected to help address this balance. The $8 billion Structures A&E Offshore Development, operated by Mellitah Oil & Gas, is scheduled to begin production in 2027 and is designed to deliver approximately 750 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day. By increasing available supply, the project will strengthen domestic energy security while supporting additional export potential to European markets.

Libya is also advancing the $1 billion Bouri Gas Utilization Project, which will capture and process associated gas from offshore production at the Bouri field. By reducing flaring and improving resource efficiency, the project will further support Libya’s efforts to maximize available gas volumes.

Renewable Energy to Strengthen Domestic Supply

Libya’s energy strategy increasingly incorporates renewable energy development as a way to strengthen domestic electricity supply and reduce pressure on gas resources. With more than 3,200 hours of sunshine annually and significant solar potential, the country is seeking to expand renewable generation capacity while improving grid reliability.

Libya’s National Strategy for Renewable Energy targets 4 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2035, representing a significant expansion of solar power within the national energy mix. Projects including TotalEnergies’ 500 MW Sadada solar plant, alongside additional solar developments and rooftop initiatives supported by the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAoL), demonstrate Libya’s ambition to diversify electricity generation.

By increasing renewable electricity supply, Libya can reduce reliance on gas-fired power generation, freeing additional gas volumes for industrial use and future exports while supporting a more resilient domestic energy system.

European Partnerships Support Libya’s Energy Ambitions

Libya’s role in Mediterranean energy security is being reinforced by expanding cooperation with European governments, trade agencies, operators and private-sector partners.

Italy remains Libya’s closest energy partner through Eni’s longstanding presence, the Greenstream pipeline and broader cooperation under the Mattei Plan. As Libya seeks to expand future gas exports, Italian institutions continue to support commercial engagement and investment opportunities, with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) helping strengthen connections between Italian companies and Libya’s energy and industrial sectors. Meanwhile, the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce and Confidustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo recently hosted Italy’s Ambassador to Libya in Rome to showcase investment and trade opportunities in Libya’s Misurata Free Zone.

France is also expanding its engagement with Libya, particularly across renewable energy, energy efficiency and technology cooperation. Through Business France, French institutions have supported discussions with Libyan stakeholders, including REAoL, on opportunities for French companies to contribute to Libya’s energy transition. Recent engagement between French representatives and Libyan institutions has further highlighted opportunities linked to infrastructure development and technical cooperation. In July, Libya’s National Development Agency hosted France’s Ambassador and a delegation from Business France and the Regional Economic Development to discuss expanding French-Libyan cooperation in support of Libya’s “Libya 2030 Vision.”

Spain is also strengthening engagement, with discussions between Libya’s Ministry of Oil and Gas and the Spanish Embassy having highlighted Repsol’s expanding upstream role while advancing proposals for dedicated Libya-Spanish business cooperation and increased Spanish participation in renewable energy development. Spanish participation reflects broader European interest in supporting Libya’s energy development through investment, technology transfer and industrial cooperation.

Positioning Libya as a Mediterranean Energy Hub

As Europe seeks diversified and reliable energy partnerships, Libya’s combination of natural gas resources, renewable energy potential and strategic geographic position creates new opportunities for regional cooperation.

The EuroMed Energy Security Forum at LEES 2027 will bring together governments, operators, investors and technology providers to examine the projects, partnerships and policies required to strengthen Libya’s role within the Mediterranean energy landscape.