Enagás: Spanish natural gas demand up in 2017

Demand for natural gas in 2017 has grown by close to 9 percent in Spain, compared to 2016, reaching 351 TWh, a third consecutive year of increased gas demand in the country.

Industrial demand for natural gas, which accounts for close to 60 percent of the total demand, has shown a rise of 7 percent, in line with the positive evolution of the economy, according to the Spanish LNG terminal operator Enagás.

Natural gas demand for power generation has grown by 27 percent, influenced by low levels of hydroelectricity generation this year, which dropped by approximately 48 percent compared to 2016.

Consumption of natural gas by homes, businesses and SMEs has remained stable compared to 2016 because the incorporation of new customers has compensated for warmer temperatures than those recorded in 2016.

The increase in natural gas demand in Spain is well above the forecast made at the start of the year, which was for an annual rate of growth of about 2 percent.

The demand for natural gas has increased in almost all of the country’s autonomous communities, Enagás adds.