BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 24. Europe’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports jumped 40% year-on-year in September 2025, reaching 8.95 million tons, doubling the growth recorded in August, the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) said, Trend reports.
The increase was driven by a decline in pipeline gas imports and higher demand for injections into underground storage ahead of the winter season.
At the country level, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain led the growth, offsetting declines in the UK. Belgium’s imports rose due to lower Norwegian pipeline supplies, increased storage injections, and higher exports to Germany and the Netherlands. France saw higher LNG inflows amid lower Norwegian deliveries, stronger storage injections, and increased pipeline exports to Belgium.
Germany’s surge was supported by greater storage injections, ramped-up imports via the Wilhelmshaven 2 FSRU, and higher pipeline exports to neighboring countries. Italy recorded growth due to reduced pipeline flows and increased storage injections. In the Netherlands, LNG imports rose as domestic production declined, Norwegian pipeline flows decreased, storage injections increased, and exports to Germany grew. Poland’s imports climbed thanks to stronger storage injections and pipeline exports to Ukraine, while Spain’s rise reflected higher domestic consumption, increased storage injections, and lower pipeline imports from France and Portugal.
From January to September 2025, Europe’s total LNG imports reached 94.05 million tons, marking a 28% year-on-year increase (20.5 million tons).
