Gas consumption in the Netherlands decreased by more than 30% in the period from August to November. Throughout the European Union, 20% less gas was used than usual during that period.
Statistics office Eurostat compared gas consumption with the five-year average for those months (2017-2021).
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 27 member states agreed to reduce their gas consumption by at least 15% to avoid a severe shortage of fuel and raw materials.
Natural gas consumption decreased between August and November in most Member States. Consumption has fallen faster than the 15% target in eighteen EU countries. Consumption decreased most in Finland (-52.7%), Latvia (-43.2%) and Lithuania (-41.6%).
Six Member States have reduced their natural gas consumption, but have not yet reached the 15% target. Consumption of natural gas increased in Malta (+7.1%) and Slovakia (+2.6%).