EU-28 Gas Up 6% in 2016: Eurogas
EU-28 gas demand is expected to be 6% more than last year, according to latest estimates from industry association Eurogas. Increased demand for gas in power generation, following signs of revival in industrial activity, as well as greater use of gas in transport, are factors.
Initial 2016 estimates, published by Eurogas October 21, suggest that demand was 447.1bn m³ (4 828.4 terawatt-hours of gas). The estimate is the result of an annual survey covering roughly 85% of the EU gas market and carried out by Eurogas.
It found that gas used in power generation increased in major consuming countries such as France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. In France, for example, gas demand in this sector doubled in the first half of the year, compared with the same period last year. In Germany, several new gas-fired power plants have started to operate, due to the competitive price. Eurogas said such greater use was seen by generators as a quick and cost-effective way to reduce emissions substantially.
EDF's new 605-MW combined cycle gas-fired power plant at Bouchain in northern France (Photo credit: EDF)
Slightly cooler temperatures in Europe resulted in a rise of about 3% (or 140 TWh) in energy used to heat homes, businesses, and public buildings – a market that gas was well placed to tap, added Eurogas. It also noted increased use of compressed natural gas (CNG) by vehicles, with the number of natural gas vehicles growing by 9% in 2016.
Early indications from the Eurogas data covering the first half of 2016 suggest that gas demand in Europe for the second half of the year is also likely to be higher than in the same period for 2015.
Taking into account an expected 7.5% rise in 2H2016, Eurogas expects total gas demand across the EU-28 & Switzerland for full year 2016 is expected to reach 450bn m3 (4,866 TWh), up 6%.
Gazprom this week announced an increase in sales for the year to date, achieving a daily record earlier this month, following sharp rises in demand across Europe and Turkey which it attributed to lower prices.
Mark Smedley