Last year we consumed a quarter less gas than in 2021. Households were more economical due to the high gas price, while industrial companies temporarily halted production or produced more efficiently.
In total, consumption was 31 billion cubic meters, the lowest level since 1972, Statistics Netherlands reported on Monday.
Large industrial companies consumed more than a quarter less natural gas last year than in 2021. This decrease was strongest among companies in the petroleum and chemical industry. Power stations consumed 12 percent less natural gas.
“Some companies have chosen to temporarily halt production because of the high gas price. It also appears that the industry is not always dependent on gas, since production has been more efficient,” says chief economist Peter Hein van Mulligen.
Households also use a quarter less natural gas. “That was partly due to the higher temperatures. But consumers have been more economical mainly because of the high gas prices,” says Van Mulligen.
Gas stocks 122 percent larger at the end of last year
Natural gas consumption has fallen partly because greenhouse horticulture companies themselves produced electricity with a gas engine. These companies consumed more than 30 percent less natural gas.
At the end of last year, the gas stock was 122 percent larger than in 2021. This fills three quarters of the gas storage facilities. This is mainly because less gas was consumed and more gas was imported (+ 4.4 billion cubic metres).
Last year, less gas was extracted (-3.4 billion cubic meters) than in 2021. Moreover, the import of liquefied natural gas (+ 9.1 billion cubic meters) doubled compared to 2021. This is mainly due to the LNG terminal off the coast of the Eemshaven that has been put into use. One third of the total gas imports is liquefied natural gas.
