Spain's Gas Demand Rises 9% in 2017

Spain's gas consumption grew 9% last year, far exceeding the forecast of a 2% gain on 2016 figures, said the country’s gas system operator  Enagas.

It reached 351 TWh, and it was the third consecutive year of growth. Gas demand had risen across Spain’s autonomous communities with La Rioja (+36%), the Region of Murcia (+32%) and the Principality of Asturias (+23%) showing the biggest growth.

Economic growth, after years of recession in Spain, saw industrial use up by 7%. Metallurgy and construction showed the highest growth in gas consumption in the industrial sector which accounts for about 60% of total gas demand.

Natural gas demand for power generation rose 27%, which was mainly due to a significant 48% year-on-year drop in hydroelectricity generation. Gas demand for homes and small and medium enterprises was stable compared with 2016 as the addition of new customers was offset by warmer temperatures than in 2016.

Additionally, Spain’s electricity sector received a further boost on December 28, when the European Investment Bank announced a €500mn ($601mn) loan to Spain’s biggest electric utility company Endesa to upgrade the country’s electricity distribution system in six Spanish regions.