By E. Gurkan Abay
ANKARA
Natural gas demand in Europe is expected to decrease by 9 percent in 2014 compared to 2013, according to Eurogas.
The first half of 2014 saw a significant decrease of 18 percent in gas demand, compared with the same period in 2013, Eurogas, the association representing the European gas wholesale, retail and distribution sectors said in a recent statement on its website.
“The dramatic decline in gas consumption in the first half of the year is mainly the result of the very mild weather,” the association said.
The other main factors for the drop in European gas demand were the slow economic recovery, low coal costs in direct competition with gas, and the growing share of electricity generation from renewables which has become more desirable due to environmental concerns.
“Mild weather combined with slow economic recovery has also meant a lower demand for electricity than in 2013,” Eurogas said, adding that, “This, in turn, has affected gas demand for power generation.”
Europe’s gas consumption reached 541 billion cubic meters in 2013, making it the biggest gas market in the world.
Eurogas underlined that as the European economy picks up, the demand for gas for power generation will increase, as it remains a cleaner, more flexible and more available backup fuel for electricity from variable renewables than solid fuel alternatives.
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