Fall in EU gas demand

The EU is projected to reduce total gas demand by 7% by 2030 compared to 2023 levels, falling from 326 bcm to 302 bcm. This trend follows a sharp decline between 2021 and 2023, where demand dropped from 404 bcm to 326 bcm. Despite this decline, LNG import capacity is expected to increase by 54% by 2030 relative to 2023, suggesting a risk of over-investment in infrastructure. Simultaneously, the EU is increasing its electrification rate, with National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) indicating a planned increase from 23% today to 30% by 2030, approaching the EU-level target of 32-33%. All 17 NECPs that reported 2030 electricity demand forecast an increase compared to 2023, reflecting a transition toward replacing fossil fuels with domestically generated clean electricity.

• The EU's total gas demand is projected to decrease by 7% by 2030 compared to 2023, dropping from 326 billion cubic meters (bcm) to 302 bcm, continuing a decline that saw demand fall from 404 bcm in 2021 to 326 bcm in 2023.
• There is a risk of over-investment in gas infrastructure, as LNG import capacity is expected to grow by 54% by 2030 compared to 2023 levels, which the document states will significantly exceed demand.
• The EU is planning to increase its electrification rate—the share of electricity in final energy demand—from the current 23% to 30% by 2030, nearing the Action Plan for Affordable Energy's indicative target of 32-33%.
• Electricity demand is expected to rise across the bloc; all 17 National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) that provided 2030 electricity demand figures show an increase over 2023 levels.

APA

Ember (2025). Fall in EU gas demand. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/fall-in-eu-gas-demand/

Chicago

Ember. Fall in EU gas demand. 2025. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/fall-in-eu-gas-demand/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Fall in EU gas demand |date=17 June 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/fall-in-eu-gas-demand/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2025fall, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Fall in EU gas demand}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/fall-in-eu-gas-demand/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }