BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 9
By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:
Gas imports in the EU decreased by 3 percent (2.5 bcm) in the first quarter of 2021 (year-on-year), even if gas consumption rose and domestic production in the EU continued to fall, Trend reports with reference to the European Commission.
Net imports in different EU countries showed a high variation in Q1 2021. In the Netherlands net imports fell from 2.2. bcm to 0.1 bcm year-on-year, whereas in Slovakia it fell from 0.9 bcm to practically zero over the same period, implying a 97 percent drop in both countries. On the other hand, in Czechia net imports rose by 45 percent (0.6 bcm), in Sweden by 39 percent (by 0.1 bcm) and in Estonia, Finland and Lithuania respectively by 34 percent, 33 percent and 32%, implying an increase of 0.1 bcm to 0.2 bcm in each of these countries in Q1 2021, year-on-year.
Among big gas consumer countries, net imports decreased in Germany (10 percent, by 2.3 bcm), whereas in net imports were up in Poland (by 30 percent, 1.1 bcm), France (by 21 percent, 1.7 bcm), Italy (by 7 percent, 1.1 bcm), and Spain (by 3 percent, 0.2 bcm). In Belgium net imports remained practically unchanged, in Q1 2021 year-on-year. In the first quarter of 2021, the total net extra-EU gas imports reached 78.5 bcm, down by 3 percent (2.5 bcm) from 81 bcm in the same period of 2020. The five biggest importers in the EU were Germany (22 bcm), Italy (17 bcm), France (10 bcm), Spain (8 bcm), and Belgium (6 bcm), representing together more than 85% of the total EU net gas imports in Q1 2021.
According to ENTSO-G data, net imports amounted to 865 TWh in the first quarter of 2021, of which 80 percent arrived through pipelines and almost 20% through LNG terminals. Pipeline gas imports from Russia, in contrast to the previous quarter, rose by 9 percent in year-on-year comparison. Imports from Norway were slightly down, by 2 percent in Q1 2021 in year-on-year comparison. Pipeline gas imports from Algeria, continuing the trend of the previous quarter, showed a triple-digit increase (141 percent) in Q1 2021. Pipeline gas imports from Libya fell further, by 18% year-on-year. At the same time, LNG imports reached 170 TWh in Q1 2021.
The recent report published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) says that natural gas use in Europe remains broadly stable, with an expected 0.4 percent average annual increase. “Demand bounces back in 2021 with a 6 percent increase, driven by the combination of colder winter temperatures, the return of industrial activity and limited competitiveness loss in power generation thanks to high carbon prices. The following years are marked by slight declines in gas demand, as the potential gains from the retirement of nuclear, coal and lignite-fired capacity are offset by the expansion of renewables in power generation and efficiency gains in other sectors.”
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