An uncertain future

European natural gas demand is expected to rise in the next three decades. But, as Anouk Honore finds, the overall picture is not easy to predict, and depends on what happens in individual countries – particularly Italy and Spain

So many things can change in twenty or thirty years. Statements about natural gas demand in Europe increasing by 1.5%–3% per annum up to 2030 may prove to be correct by the end of the period. But these predictions really tell us very little about the evolution of natural gas demand during the next 25 years, and whether there is a different story to tell about different countries/regions of Europe for different time frames.

It is common knowledge that natural gas demand in the non-power sectors