Shorter showers and warm-up: lowest gas consumption in 50 years

In 2022, the Netherlands will consume a quarter less gas than the previous year. Households and large industrial companies in particular have reduced their gas consumption, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reported. A total of 31 billion cubic meters of gas was used, the lowest amount since 1972.

Industrial companies are often large natural gas consumers. Last year, they consumed more than a quarter of the previous year. This decline was strongest for companies in the lubricant and chemical industries. The plants used 12 percent less natural gas.

Less gas, still growth

The strong trend reversal among mass consumers is due to higher gas prices. The industry has made necessity a virtue, according to Peter Hein van Mulligen, chief economist at CBS. “Factories were sometimes closed because energy was so expensive. However, the industry managed to grow. They can produce more using less gas.”

Another sector contributing to the decrease in consumption is greenhouse cultivation. Greenhouse businesses that generate their own electricity with a gas engine used more than 30 percent less natural gas.

shorter shower

Not only did companies save money last year, but households consumed a quarter less gas than in 2021. The sharp increase in gas prices also significantly spurred this decline. “Households turned the levers, taking shorter showers, for example,” says Van Mulligen.

Part of the decline in gas consumption is due to the warmer weather last year. According to Statistics Netherlands, about 10 percent of savings are related to this. Consumption adjusted for higher temperatures was 15 percent lower than in 2021.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands has managed to significantly increase its gas reserves compared to 2021. The main reason for this is liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports.

Source: NOS