EUROPE GAS TRACKER REPORT 2024

The Europe Gas Tracker Report 2024 finds that Europe is continuing a massive gas infrastructure buildout despite emerging from its energy crisis and seeing a decline in gas demand. With €84.1 billion in planned LNG terminals and pipelines, the report argues that the region is creating significant overcapacity and risking stranded assets. It further warns that these projects could increase annual emissions by up to 1.1 gigatonnes CO2e, undermining the EU's 'Fit for 55' goals. Additionally, the report characterizes the proposed 35,000 km hydrogen pipeline network as a 'red herring' that may serve to lock in methane gas infrastructure due to technical incompatibilities and the lack of green hydrogen production.

• Europe is continuing a significant expansion of gas infrastructure despite a more secure energy position, with €84.1 billion in new LNG terminals and pipelines in planning. This buildout includes 248.7 bcm/y of new LNG import capacity and 16,491 km of new gas transmission pipelines, which could increase total import capacity by 55%.
• The planned gas infrastructure is deemed unnecessary because Europe already possesses significant overcapacity. In 2023, LNG import capacity (318.7 bcm/y) was nearly double the LNG demand (167 bcm). If all planned projects are completed by 2030, import capacity (567.5 bcm/y) could exceed forecasted demand (134.7 bcm) by more than four times.
• New gas infrastructure poses a severe threat to the EU's climate targets. Projects already under construction could add 195 megatonnes CO2e per year, equivalent to 50 coal plants. If all proposed projects are built, annual emissions could increase six-fold to 1.1 gigatonnes CO2e, which is approximately one-quarter of Europe's 2020 emissions.
• Germany, Italy, and Greece are the primary drivers of the buildout, accounting for half of the estimated costs (€45.3 billion). Germany has the most LNG import capacity in development in Europe (89.9 bcm/y), while Greece has the most planned pipeline length (2,795 km).
• The proposed 35,000 km hydrogen transmission pipeline network, including the European Hydrogen Backbone, is criticized as a potential distraction from decarbonization. The report notes that methane pipelines are largely unsuitable for hydrogen and that blending hydrogen into gas-fired generation provides minimal emissions reductions; for example, a 20% hydrogen blend only reduces methane usage by 7%.
• There is a critical shortage of green hydrogen to support the proposed infrastructure. As of 2022, only 0.7% of global hydrogen production was from low-emissions electrolysis. The EU produced 8 million tonnes of hydrogen in 2021, with 96% derived from methane cracking.
• Some LNG projects have faced setbacks in 2023, suggesting a possible decline in interest. Specifically, 17.6 bcm/y of capacity has been shelved and at least 60.6 bcm/y has been delayed, with projects in Ireland, Latvia, and Poland facing uncertainty.

APA

Rozansky, R., & Hassan, H. (2024). EUROPE GAS TRACKER REPORT 2024. Global Energy Monitor. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM_Europe_Gas_Tracker_2024_35.pdf

Chicago

Rozansky, Robert, and Harvey Hassan. EUROPE GAS TRACKER REPORT 2024. Global Energy Monitor, 2024. https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM_Europe_Gas_Tracker_2024_35.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rozansky |first1=Robert |last2=Hassan |first2=Harvey |title=EUROPE GAS TRACKER REPORT 2024 |publisher=Global Energy Monitor |date=March 2024 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM_Europe_Gas_Tracker_2024_35.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rozansky2024europe, author = {Rozansky, Robert and Hassan, Harvey}, title = {{EUROPE GAS TRACKER REPORT 2024}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2024}, month = mar, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/sites/default/files/migration/reports/GEM_Europe_Gas_Tracker_2024_35.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }