Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 10 / Trend A. Badalova /
The demand for gas in EU countries amounted to 1.872 TW / h (terawatt hour) for the first quarter, compared to 1.957 TW / h for the same period last year, and 1.734 TW / h for the fourth quarter of 2010. This data is contained in the European Commission's quarterly report on EU gas markets.
According to the European Commission, gas imports to EU countries amounted to 1.390 TW / h from the first quarter of this year compared to 1.303 TW / h for the same period in 2010, and 1.291 TW / h for the fourth quarter of last year.
A high level of gas imports for the first three months of this year reflects the expectations of high fuel demands after the cold season, especially in the second half of 2010, the report said.
According to the report, political instability in the Middle East as well as Japan's disaster in March became the key factors influencing the European gas market during the first quarter of 2011.
According to the European Commission, EU dependence on gas imports will increase up to 73-79 percent by 2020 and 81-89 percent by 2030.
European countries plan to meet the growing demand for gas from alternative long-term pipeline projects.
The priority energy project for the EU is a project of the Southern Gas Corridor. It includes diversification of gas supplies to EU countries. The main supplier of gas within this project is Azerbaijan, which must make a decision on the preferred route for its gas transports by late 2011.