BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 17. According to the latest data from the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Italy's natural gas consumption surged by 8.6% year-on-year in December 2024, reaching 7.9 bcm, Trend reports.
This increase reflects heightened demand in the residential and power generation sectors, driven by colder-than-average weather across the country, particularly in northern regions.
The residential sector saw the most significant growth, with consumption rising by 10% year-on-year to 4.6 bcm. The GECF report attributed this spike to "colder-than-average temperatures, which amplified heating needs in households."
The industrial sector also experienced a modest increase, with gas use edging up by 1% compared to December 2023, reaching 0.9 bcm.
The report emphasized that the growth in gas demand highlights the critical role of natural gas in supporting Italy's energy needs during periods of heightened residential heating and power generation requirements.