The steady decline in natural gas consumption in Europe since mid-2022 is a significant development in the region’s energy landscape. This reduction is driven by a combination of factors, including mild winters, increased renewable energy production, and policies aimed at decreasing dependency on natural gas—particularly in response to the sharp drop in pipeline gas supplies from Russia.
Key points from the situation include:
- Decreased consumption: In 2023, natural gas consumption in the EU-27 was 18% below the average for 2017-2021. During the first five months of 2024, consumption remained 19% below this average.
- Policy measures: In response to reduced Russian gas imports, European governments implemented coordinated measures to cut natural gas consumption by at least 15% from August 2022 to March 2023. These measures have been extended until March 2025.
- Impact of mild winters: Two consecutive mild winters (2022-23 and 2023-24) contributed to lower natural gas demand, helping to maintain high storage levels. By April 1, 2024, European gas storage was 59% full, the highest on record for that time of year.
- Shift to LNG: As pipeline gas supplies from Russia dropped significantly—by 58% in 2022 and 89% in 2023 compared to 2021—Europe increasingly relied on LNG imports, particularly from the United States, which became the largest supplier for the third consecutive year in 2023.
This trend indicates a significant shift in Europe’s energy mix and underscores the region’s ongoing efforts to diversify energy sources and enhance energy security, particularly in the context of geopolitical tensions and climate commitments.
