Belgium’s natural gas consumption for 2024 fell to 149 terawatt hours (TWh), a reduction from the 152 TWh consumed in 2023, according to recent data from gas grid operator Fluxys.
This decline was primarily driven by a decrease in gas usage for electricity generation, which dropped sharply from 32 TWh in 2023 to just 23 TWh in the past year.
The shift away from gas-fired electricity generation came as a result of more affordable electricity imports from France.
According to Elia, the high-voltage grid operator, cheaper French power sidelined gas-fired plants, leading to a significant reduction in domestic demand for natural gas in the energy sector.
While overall consumption dropped, households and industries in Belgium increased their usage of natural gas.
Residential consumption rose slightly, from 80 TWh in 2023 to 82 TWh in 2024. This uptick was attributed to the colder-than-usual winter months, which led to higher heating demands.
Similarly, industrial gas consumption saw an increase, rising from 40 TWh in 2023 to 44 TWh this year, as sectors such as manufacturing and chemicals ramped up production amid ongoing recovery efforts.
In contrast to the reduction in domestic gas usage, Belgium imported significantly more natural gas than it consumed.
The country continues to play a key role as a transit hub for gas in Europe, with a large portion of the imported gas being re-exported to neighboring countries.
Total gas transit through Belgium to its neighbouring nations reached 259 TWh in 2024, a substantial decrease from the 357 TWh in 2023.
Germany, as the largest recipient, continued to rely on Belgium as a crucial conduit for its energy needs.
The reduced transit volume can be partly explained by the shifting dynamics in European energy markets, as the demand for gas in neighboring countries fluctuated in response to different energy sourcing strategies, including increased renewable energy uptake and shifts in the global natural gas market.
This shift in Belgium’s gas consumption and transit is part of broader trends in the European energy sector, where countries are adjusting to changing supply conditions, energy prices, and geopolitical factors.
With Europe aiming to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, Belgium’s role as both a consumer and a transit hub remains crucial in the continent’s energy landscape.
Despite the decline in total gas consumption, Belgium’s increased reliance on gas for residential and industrial use highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the country in transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.
As the country moves forward, its energy strategy will likely continue to evolve in response to both domestic consumption patterns and its role in European energy networks.
