EU gas consumption rises for second year. LNG now accounts for 45% of imports

Natural gas consumption in the European Union in 2025 increased year on year for the second consecutive year. According to the European Commission's quarterly report, it reached 339 billion cubic metres, 2% more than in 2024. However, this was only a modest recovery following the sharp drop in consumption during the energy crisis. European consumption remains below its 2022 level.

In the fourth quarter, the EU consumed 106 billion cubic metres of gas, 2% more year on year. Growth occurred despite temperatures being milder than the long-term average across most of Europe. Electricity generation therefore played a significant role. Gas-fired power plants generated 112 TWh of electricity in the final three months of the year, 8% more year on year, accounting for 17% of total electricity generation in the EU.

The Commission states that, for the full year, gas consumption in households and the commercial sector increased by approximately 2%, while consumption for electricity generation rose by 13%. However, these sectoral figures are not based on complete statistics for the entire Union. They are based on data from transmission system operators in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, which together account for approximately 60% of EU gas consumption.