Continuous Increase in Gas Consumption in Germany Despite High Prices

Continuous Increase in Gas Consumption in Germany Despite High Prices

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

Your 1st year at 99 $*

then 199 $/year

*renews at 199$/year, cancel anytime before renewal.

Gas consumption in Germany increased by 7% year-on-year, averaging 3.54 TWh/day in the week ending November 24, according to data published by the German energy regulator, Bundesnetzagentur. Despite this increase, consumption levels remain below the pre-crisis average of 3.81 TWh/day for the same period between 2018 and 2021.

Since 2022, gas consumption in Germany has consistently stayed below pre-crisis levels, reflecting reduced demand driven by high costs and energy-saving measures. However, spikes in consumption have occurred during periods of unusually cold weather or low renewable energy production, such as in January and April this year.

Differentiated Trends by Sector

During the analyzed week, industrial demand, including consumption related to power generation, fell to an average of 1.8 TWh/day, down from 1.86 TWh/day the previous week. Conversely, gas use by households and small businesses surged by 23%, reaching 1.74 TWh/day. This increase is attributed to colder temperatures recorded during the period.

Impact of High Prices

This rise in consumption occurs in the context of high European market prices. The benchmark Dutch TTF gas price was assessed at €48.58/MWh on November 21, the highest level since November 2023. Although the price slightly dropped to €46.37/MWh on November 28, it remains significantly above pre-crisis levels.

State of Storage and Future Concerns

Germany’s gas storage facilities are currently filled to 92% of capacity, a slight decline from the 94% reported the previous week. The country had achieved its 95% storage target by the end of August, well ahead of the deadline set by law. However, concerns are growing for summer 2025. The INES, an industry group, has highlighted that current price signals do not provide strong incentives for gas injections into storage for the coming months.

Nonetheless, Germany remains a leader in gas storage capacity within the European Union. With strict regulations in place until 2027, such as the requirement to fill 85% of storage by October 1 and 95% by November 1 each year, the country continues to play a crucial role in ensuring the region’s energy security.

Private firm Harvest Midstream has signed a $1 billion acquisition deal with MPLX for gas processing and transport infrastructure across three western US states.
Sempra Infrastructure and EQT Corporation have signed a 20-year liquefied natural gas purchase agreement, consolidating Phase 2 of the Port Arthur LNG project in Texas and strengthening the United States’ position in the global LNG market.
Subsea7 was selected to lead phase 3 of the Sakarya gas field, a strategic contract for Türkiye’s energy supply valued between $750mn and $1.25bn.
Tokyo protests against Chinese installations deemed unilateral in a disputed maritime zone, despite a bilateral agreement stalled since 2010.
Bp has awarded Baker Hughes a long-term service agreement for the Tangguh liquefied natural gas plant, covering spare parts, maintenance and technical support for its turbomachinery equipment.
Chinese group Sinopec has launched a large-scale seismic imaging campaign across 3,000 km² in Mexico using nodal technology from Sercel, owned by Viridien, delivered in August to map areas with complex terrain.
CNOOC Limited has signed two production sharing contracts with SKK Migas to explore the Gaea and Gaea II blocks in West Papua, alongside EnQuest and Agra.
Australian group Macquarie partners with AMIGO LNG for an annual supply of 0.6 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas over fifteen years, with operations expected to start in 2028 from the Guaymas terminal in Mexico.
A consortium led by ONEOK is developing a 450-mile pipeline to transport up to 2.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day from the Permian Basin to the Gulf Coast.
AMIGO LNG has awarded Drydocks World a major EPC contract to build the world’s largest floating LNG liquefaction terminal, aimed at strengthening exports to Asia and Latin America.
Nigeria LNG signs major deals with oil groups to ensure gas supply to its liquefaction infrastructure over two decades.
The European Union and Washington have finalized an agreement setting $750 billion in U.S. gas, oil and nuclear purchases, complemented by $600 billion in European investments in the United States by 2028.
Sempra Infrastructure and ConocoPhillips signed a 20-year LNG sales agreement for 4 Mtpa, confirming their joint commitment to expanding the Port Arthur LNG liquefaction terminal in Texas.
Russian pipeline gas exports to China rose by 21.3% over seven months, contrasting with a 7.6% drop in oil shipments during the same period.
MCF Energy continues operations at the Kinsau-1A drilling site, targeting a promising Jurassic formation first tested by Mobil in 1983.
The group announces an interim dividend of 53 cps, production of 548 Mboe/d, a unit cost of $7.7/boe and major milestones on Scarborough, Trion, Beaumont and Louisiana LNG, while strengthening liquidity and financial discipline.
Norway’s combined oil and gas production exceeded official forecasts by 3.9% in July, according to preliminary data from the regulator.
Gunvor commits to 0.85 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas from AMIGO LNG, marking a strategic step forward for Asian and Latin American supply via the Guaymas terminal.
Black Hills Corp. and NorthWestern Energy merge to create a $15.4 billion regulated energy group, operating in eight states with 2.1 million customers and a doubled rate base.
The Pimienta and Eagle Ford formations are identified as pillars of Pemex’s 2025-2035 strategic plan, with potential of more than 250,000 barrels of liquids per day and 500 million cubic feet of gas by 2030.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.