Spanish Gas Use Rises in 2016, Algeria Main Supplier

Spanish gas consumption grew by 2.1% year on year to 321.4 TWh (29.9bn m³) in 2016, according to preliminary data from gas grid operator Enagas.

Use by the power sector fell by 2.6% to 59.6 TWh, whereas other users (homes, offices, industry) consumed 3.3% more at 261.8 TWh.

Gas transited by pipe to other countries increased 4.8% to 42.9 TWh but LNG reload (export) cargoes declined by 91.4% to just 1.4 TWh.

Photo credit: Enagas

The decline in LNG reloads was enough to push total sendout by Enagas down by 1.6% – despite the 2.1% rise in Spanish consumption – to 365.7 TWh (34bn m³). Indeed, no LNG cargoes at all were reloaded in Spain in December 2016.

Despite the reduced gas burn by generators, gas’s share in Spain’s power generation mix increased to 11% in 2016, from 10% the previous year.

Spanish gross gas supplies were 365 TWh in 2016 (34bn m³), level with the previous year. Indigenous production made up a tiny 0.2% of the total last year. In contrast, Algerian piped gas and LNG contributed 57% of the gross total, followed by LNG from Nigeria (15%), Qatar (8%) and Peru (5%). Transits via France provided 10% of Spain's supply, while smaller LNG sources were Trinidad and Norway (each 2%), Angola 0.3% and US 0.2%.

Despite its dominance of supply, the volume of gas imported from Algeria into Spain was down slightly on 2015. 

Mark Smedley