Europe Gas Tracker Report 2023

The Europe Gas Tracker Report 2023 by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the rapid expansion of gas infrastructure in the European Union following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The report argues that a 'gas panic' has led to uncoordinated buildouts of LNG terminals and pipelines that risk creating massive overcapacity and locking the region into fossil fuel dependency, potentially undermining the EU's climate goals under the European Climate Law and the Fit for 55 package.

• The EU has proposed, revived, or fast-tracked 30 liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal projects in response to the gas crisis that began in 2021 and intensified with Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• Between January 2022 and February 2023, 35.2 billion cubic meters per year (bcm/y) of gas import capacity was commissioned across eight LNG terminal projects, alongside 11.1 bcm/y in transmission pipelines.
• The total proposed LNG import buildout of 227.2 bcm/y would increase the EU's maximum import capacity by 136%. Additionally, 60.5 bcm/y of gas pipeline import capacity is proposed.
• The estimated total capital expenditure for all proposed LNG terminals and pipeline transmission projects is €53.5 billion, with €22.1 billion for LNG terminals and €31.4 billion for pipelines. Greece, Italy, and Germany account for approximately 53% of these estimates.
• The proposed infrastructure expansion could lead to significant emissions: 227.2 bcm/y of LNG capacity could result in nearly 950 million tons of CO2 per year, and 60.5 bcm/y of pipeline imports could add 89.8 million tons of CO2 per year.
• Germany is identified as the most aggressive in its buildout, having commissioned 20 bcm/y at Lubmin, Brunsbüttel, and Wilhelmshaven, with a total of 70.3 bcm/y of additional capacity planned by 2026.
• The EU is proposing a hydrogen transmission network, including the European Hydrogen Backbone, but the report warns that over 90% of proposals are expected to initially carry a blend of methane and hydrogen, which may further entrench fossil fuel use.

APA

Langenbrunner, B., Aitken, G., Rozansky, R., & Hassan, H. (2023). Europe Gas Tracker Report 2023. Global Energy Monitor. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-Europe-Gas-Tracker-Report-2023_11.pdf

Chicago

Langenbrunner, Baird, Greig Aitken, Robert Rozansky, and Harvey Hassan. Europe Gas Tracker Report 2023. Global Energy Monitor, 2023. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-Europe-Gas-Tracker-Report-2023_11.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Langenbrunner |first1=Baird |last2=Aitken |first2=Greig |last3=Rozansky |first3=Robert |last4=Hassan |first4=Harvey |title=Europe Gas Tracker Report 2023 |publisher=Global Energy Monitor |date=March 2023 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-Europe-Gas-Tracker-Report-2023_11.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{langenbrunner2023europe, author = {Langenbrunner, Baird and Aitken, Greig and Rozansky, Robert and Hassan, Harvey}, title = {{Europe Gas Tracker Report 2023}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2023}, month = mar, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM-Europe-Gas-Tracker-Report-2023_11.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }