Future Natural Gas Demand in Europe: The importance of the gas sector

Why do we need a study on gas demand? First, because energy forecasts predict natural gas to be the fastest growing primary energy source in Europe in the next 2−3 decades. Gas demand forecasts commonly show optimistic trends increasing gently or steeply, as shown in Figure 1. The reasons for this expected ‘dash for gas’ are well known: the economics and efficiency of the new combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants, the environmental qualities of gas, and the adaptability, flexibility and availability of gas in an open power sector.

By: Anouk Honoré