From August 2022 to January 2023, European countries consumed gas 19.3% less than the average for the same period over the past five years. In some European countries, gas consumption has fallen by 40-50%. This is evidenced by the data Eurostat.
Compared to the five-year average, gas consumption fell the most in Finland (57.3%). Then come Lithuania (47.9%) and Sweden (40.2%). The least gas consumption among European countries decreased in Ireland – less than 1%. Consumption in Spain fell by 13.7%, in Slovenia by 14.2%. Malta consumed more gas than usual – by 12%, Slovakia – by 5%.
Compared to the figure for 2017-2022, European countries were able to reduce their gas consumption on a monthly basis. Even in January 2023, the EU used 22.1% less gas compared to January last year.
In the summer of 2022, the European Union approved a decision to voluntarily reduce gas consumption in the EU by 15% compared to the average over the past five years once morest the backdrop of difficulties with energy supplies from Russia. The pumping of Russian gas to Europe through the Nord Stream has been completely suspended since September due to its damage by explosions. Transit through Poland to Germany stopped following the exchange of sanctions.
