Spain reduced its gas consumption by 11% according to average of the last five years between On 1 August 2022 and 31 March 2023 Up to a total of 232,430 gigawatt-hours (GWh), according to data published by enagas. This rate is below the 15% “voluntary” savings rate agreed to by the 27 countries of the European Union this summer. But it serves to put end a winter where it is not mandatory consumption restrictions And gas price remained in a certain way contents in the environment until 40 Euros per megawatt-hour (MW).
The Ministry of Ecological Transition, while taking into account the reduction in gas consumption, combined cycle plants to face Increasing electricity demand from France and Portugal. According to their data, by February cumulative decrease in demand was 19%so in the absence of a month to complete the period, everything points to: With this measure, Spain will meet the set target. In any event, the voluntary reduction commitment is based on Member States’ best efforts and is only alert status when that goal becomes an obligation. And in that case, Spain’s target would fall between 6% and 7%.
Enagás numerals, gas demand to generate electricity (mainly combined cycles) increased by 42% compared to the previous five yearstotal 86,170 GWh. main reason that solidarity with neighboring countries, but also drought blocking Spain. Use renewable generation. In fact, in January Increase in gas consumption to generate 20% electricity, although foreign sales remained high. Within the eight months analyzed, hydraulic had more assets (16.2%) at a loss. combined cycles (11.4%).
Industry Efficiency
Much of the decline in consumption has focused on what is called consumption. traditional demandgrouping households, companies and above all industry. In this case, the gas demand 27% lower, up to a total of 146,258 GWh. Incentive for ‘small’ consumers came from measures Savings promoted by the government and grouped in the contingency plan approved in October. Among these are some discussions, such as the necessity for workplaces and public institutions to adjust their temperatures and turn off the lights after 10 PM. Others that are not implemented, such as the proposal to save consumers from bills. And many other characters structuralLike the regulated tariff (PVPC) reform that the government wants to enable by 2024.
in case of industrymain consumer, I refinechanged the gas as follows: more efficient fuels to saveAs explained by a spokesperson for the Association of Petroleum Operators (AOP), Ines Cardenal. This brought consumption down and other industries forced to stop production due to rising energy prices. “We experienced decreases of up to 35 percent compared to last year. But in the last few months demand decline has slowed. We were at 17% in February and I hope the figures for March continue this decline”, explains the president of the employers’ association large gas consumers (GasIndustrial), Veronica Rivière.
towards next winter
Less gas consumption, Four axes designed by Europe for preparing the continent for possible supply problems related to Russia, Next to you import diversification, renewable energy installation And filling the tanks. In the first case, Spain imports 90% of the gas it uses from six different countriesdespite continuing Moscow as one of the main suppliers. Inside renewable energyThey installed since April 2022 about 5,000 new MW, up to a total of 71,052 MW. and in case to storeends the winter at maximum 81.4%
A few weeks ago, European countries decided keep these goals prepare the continent for war coming winter. “We just passed the first war. We still have a long fight ahead”, said the Energy Commissioner a few weeks ago, Kadri Simson. “If Spain accepts the exception to reduce its consumption to 7 percent and the refinery replaces fuel, gas exports will also be discounted. easily achievable”, explains Rivière.