BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 28. Natural gas consumption in OECD Europe increased by nearly 5% in the first three quarters of 2025, driven primarily by cold weather and lower renewable power output, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Trend reports.
Growth was strongest in Q1, with demand up 9% year-on-year, before slowing to under 1% in Q2-Q3, the agency noted in its outlook.
The power sector accounted for roughly 80% of the additional gas demand, supported by weaker wind and hydro generation, despite a nearly 20% rise in solar output.
In contrast, higher gas prices constrained industrial consumption, which fell by an estimated 2% overall, with significant declines in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Spain. Demand through distribution networks rose 4% in Q1 but fell in Q2-Q3 due to warmer temperatures and efficiency improvements.
For the full year, OECD Europe’s gas demand is expected to grow nearly 3%, led by gas-to-power and building heating. Gas use in industry is projected to decline 1.5% amid elevated prices.
Looking ahead to 2026, the IEA forecasts a 2% decline in European gas demand as expanding renewable generation reduces reliance on natural gas in the power sector.
