Dutch gas consumption fell last year to the lowest level in fifty years. Compared to 2021, before the sharp rise in gas prices, consumption was about a quarter lower last year. People at home and large industrial companies in particular were more frugal, reports the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
Households saved a quarter. This was mainly due to the high price, but the warmer weather also caused a drop of 10 percent within this group. Industry accounted for a drop of more than a quarter, with oil and chemical companies making the strongest contributions. Power stations still needed a lot of gas, but still registered a decrease of 12 percent.
Greenhouse growers with a gas engine saved even more on their gas consumption: 30 percent. They chose to heat their greenhouses in a different way or not to do this at all due to the high costs.
Last year, total Dutch gas consumption amounted to 31 billion cubic metres, the lowest level since 1972. Last year, Statistics Netherlands reported that in the first half of 2022, gas consumption was also reduced by a quarter. After the outbreak of war in Ukraine at the beginning of last year, the price rose rapidly.
To replace Russia as an important source of gas, the Netherlands turned to liquefied natural gas (LNG). The import of this doubled to more than 9 billion cubic meters, partly due to the opening of an LNG terminal off the coast of Eemshaven. Last year, a third of imports were liquid.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.