EU natural gas consumption in 2020 fell 3% year-on-year to 394 billion cubic meters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest report of the European Commission.
The report showed that gas production in the EU last year also fell to 54.4 bcm, down from 70 bcm in 2019.
The Netherlands produced 24 bcm of gas relative to 33.7 bcm in 2019. This was followed by Romania with production last year of 9 bcm compared to 10 bcm in 2019, and Germany with a fall from 5.7 bcm in 2019 down to 4.9 bcm last year.
Total EU net gas imports throughout 2020 reached 326 bcm, down from 358 bcm in 2019.
The five biggest net importer countries in the EU were: Germany with 79 bcm, Italy with 66 bcm, France with 37 bcm, Spain with 31 bcm, and the Netherlands with 20 bcm.
The United Kingdom imported 32 bcm of natural gas in 2020.
Russia’s share out of total gas imports to the EU reached 48%. Norway followed with a share of 24%, Algeria's share amounted to 9% and Libya with 1%. The share of imports of LNG to the EU amounted to 18%.
The total gas import bill amounted to €36.5 billion last year, down from €59.4 billion in 2019.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr