BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 21. The EU’s gas consumption has undergone significant changes over the last five years, reflecting the impact of global crises, policy shifts, and energy market adjustments.
According to the data obtained by Trend from the European Commission, 3Q gas consumption, in particular, highlights the gradual decline in reliance on natural gas, with a sharp reduction during the energy crisis and a stabilization emerging in 2024.
Below is a year-by-year breakdown of 3Q gas consumption volumes and their year-on-year changes.
2019:
- Consumption: 72 bcm
- Serving as the baseline, this year reflects typical gas demand before major global disruptions.
2020:
- Consumption: 72 bcm
- Year-on-Year Change: 0% (no change)
- Gas demand remained steady despite the economic slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, as colder weather offset reduced industrial activity.
2021:
- Consumption: 64 bcm
- Year-on-Year Change: -11.1% (-8 bcm)
- A notable decline occurred due to rising energy prices and initial steps toward energy-saving measures. This marked the beginning of the downward trend in gas demand.
2022:
- Consumption: 59 bcm
- Year-on-Year Change: -7.8% (-5 bcm)
- The EU faced a sharp reduction in gas imports following the war in Ukraine, leading to aggressive energy-saving measures and accelerated renewable energy adoption.
2023:
- Consumption: 56 bcm
- Year-on-Year Change: -5.1% (-3 bcm)
- The pace of decline slowed as EU economies adjusted to new consumption patterns, reflecting a more stable energy market.
2024:
- Consumption: 56 bcm
- Year-on-Year Change: 0% (no change)
- Stabilization for the first time in five years suggests the EU may have reached a new baseline for natural gas consumption.
Over the five-year period, 3Q gas consumption fell from 72 bcm in 2019 to 56 bcm in 2024, a 22-percent decline. The largest year-on-year drop occurred between 2020 and 2021 (down by 11.1 percent), driven by rising energy prices and emerging energy efficiency measures.
The lack of year-on-year change in 2024 indicates that gas demand may have leveled off at a lower baseline, reflecting long-term structural changes.
The stabilization of gas consumption in 2024 suggests that the EU has adapted to its new energy reality. However, further reductions are likely as renewable energy capacity expands and technologies like green hydrogen mature. The focus on energy independence and climate goals will continue to reshape energy consumption patterns across the region.