The EU cut its pipeline gas imports by 9% year-on-year in the first half of 2025 as the bloc leaned more on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and continued efforts to curb demand, according to data by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) on Thursday.
The latest decline follows a drop of more than one-third in piped gas purchases between 2021 and 2024, according to the IEEFA's EU Gas Flows Tracker.
Energy efficiency measures and the expansion of renewable power have helped drive down consumption in recent years.
Combined pipeline and LNG imports rose 3.4% in the first half of the year, but IEEFA expects Europe's overall gas imports to start shrinking from 2026.
Since early 2022, EU countries have spent approximately €380 billion ($452 billion) on pipeline gas imports, including €83 billion paid to Russia, according to the study.
The halt of Russian gas transit through Ukraine earlier this year added to the first-half decline, with some countries rerouting flows and using existing infrastructure to secure supply.
The EU aims to phase out Russian oil and gas imports by the end of 2027, but pipeline deliveries from Russia via Türkiye have increased in recent years.
In the first half of 2025, Norway was the EU's top pipeline gas supplier with 55%, followed by Algeria at 19% and Russia via Türkiye at 10%.
Imports from Azerbaijan, Libya and Norway fell year-on-year, while flows from Algeria, Russia via Türkiye, Türkiye and the UK posted modest gains.
Commenting on the data, Ana Maria Jaller-Makarewicz, IEEFA's lead energy analyst for Europe, said: "EU gas demand is in structural decline. But this year's slight rise in gas imports should be a wake-up call for Member States falling short of their energy efficiency and renewables targets."
"Faster solar, wind and heat pump deployment and grid modernisation will reduce EU countries’ vulnerability to LNG supply disruptions, improve energy security and protect consumers from volatile gas prices," Jaller-Makarewicz added.
By Handan Kazanci
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr