In the context of cold weather and low renewable energy output, European Union (EU) countries have increased gas consumption in February 2025 by 21% compared to the same period last year.
In the first two months of 2025, the total EU gas consumption increased by 9% compared to the same period last year, reaching 81 billion m3. In February alone, gas demand reached 38 billion cubic meters, maintaining its increase for 6 consecutive months. This increase is mainly due to increased consumption in the electricity and civil sectors when temperatures drop sharply, increasing the demand for heating.
In addition, low electricity output from wind and solar power has increased dependence on gas plants to ensure the stability of the energy system. Industries are also increasing gas use due to more stable prices.
Gas demand in EU countries increased sharply, with Germany increasing by 27% (reaching 10 billion m3), Italy increasing by 16% (7.4 billion m3), France increasing by 16% (4 billion m3), Spain increasing by 3% (2.6 billion m3), and the UK increasing by 18% (7.1 billion m3).
According to the GECF report, despite strong demand, pipeline gas imports into the EU fell 6% in February to 11.2 billion cubic meters, down from 11.2 billion cubic meters. In the first two months of the year, gas pipeline supplies decreased by 10% due to the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine and reduced supplies from Norway.
In contrast, imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe increased by 19% in February, reaching 11.99 million tons. Asian countries reduced LNG imports by 4.6%, down to 21.14 million tons. In the first two months of the year, the EU imported 24.01 million tons of LNG (+13.5%), while Asia imported 45.76 million tons (-5.1%).
Global LNG exports increased by a record 33.95 million tons in February (+0.9% over the same period). The largest LNG suppliers are still the US, Qatar and Australia. Russia ranked fourth with 2.5 million tons, despite severe restrictions.
Despite reduced pipeline supplies, Russian gas still holds a large share of the EU market due to high demand and a shortage of immediate replacements.
TASS quoted Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto as saying at the Raisina 2025 Dialogue that the amount of Russian LNG supplied to the Western European region reached a record high last year.
"Up to now, no one has proven that it can provide us with a more reliable and cheaper gas solution than Russia. Why do we have to turn this cheap and reliable supply into more expensive and unreliable supply? How will I explain that to the Hungarians?" - Mr. Szijjarto pointed out.
"It's clear that without Russian supplies, we can't provide to the country. And this is not for political taste, for systematic awareness or anything else. This is for reality," the Hungarian Foreign Minister emphasized.
