Fossil gas consumption in the European Union fell by 20.1% in the period August-November 2022 compared to the average consumption in the same period between 2017 and 2021, according to the latest figures published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, on Tuesday 20 December.
However, the results differ greatly from one Member State to another. In 18 of them, fossil gas consumption fell by more than 15%. These countries are thus on track to meet the (voluntary) target of reducing their consumption by at least 15% between 1 August 2022 and 31 March 2023 compared to their average consumption in the same period over the previous five years. This target is set out in a recent EU Council Regulation adopted following the interruption of around 80% of Russian gas supplies (see EUROPE 13000/1).
Finland (-52.7%), Latvia (-43.2%) and Lithuania (-41.6%) top the list. In contrast, fossil gas consumption increased in Malta (+7.1%) and Slovakia (+2.6%). Together with Portugal, the Czech Republic, Spain and Ireland, these two countries are among the six Member States that have not yet reached the 15% target.
See the data: https://aeur.eu/f/4r0 (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)