ISTANBUL

Turkey's natural gas imports increased by 24.3% in August this year compared to the same month of 2020, according to data of Turkey's energy watchdog on Monday.

Natural gas imports increased to around 4.17 billion cubic meters (bcm) from approximately 3.35 bcm for the same month of 2020, Turkey's Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) said in its monthly natural gas market report.

In August 2021, the country imported 3.52 bcm of natural gas via pipelines, while 644 million cubic meters (mcm) was purchased as LNG, EMRA's data showed. This marked an increase in pipeline gas imports of 27.6%, and 8.9% in LNG imports.

Russia was Turkey's top gas import destination, supplying 2.08 bcm of natural gas while Iran and Azerbaijan followed with 898.2 mcm and 547 mcm, respectively.

Turkey's gas imports from Russia and Iran grew by 51.9% and 121% in August, respectively, while imports from Azerbaijan declined by 44.5% compared to the same period of 2020.

Turkey's total gas consumption also increased by 42.4% to approximately 4.36 bcm compared to the same month of 2020.

Household consumption grew by 8.5% to 302 mcm, while the use of gas in power plants increased by 73.6% to 2.23 bcm during the same period.

Consumption growth in natural gas power plants, which generated more electricity due to drought and lower hydro capacity over the last few months, continues to boost imports.

The natural gas volume in storage in August 2021 increased by 10.8% to around 2.69 bcm compared to about 2.43 bcm in August 2020.