EU Gas Slumps Again in 2013, 'Paradox' of Coal is Blamed

摘要

EU natural gas consumption in 2013 fell to levels not seen in over 15 years, partly because of the lingering impact of recession, but largely because renewables and coal continued to make inroads as power generation fuels. Latest estimates from gas industry association Eurogas indicate that consumption across the 28 EU members fell for the third year in a row, dropping by 1.4% to 462 billion cubic meters (45 billion cubic feet per day). This followed a slump of 10% in 2011 and of 2% in 2012, when consumption dropped back to levels last seen in 1999 (WGI Mar.13'13).