DESFA’s Results on Natural Gas Consumption in 2020

DESFA’s Results on Natural Gas Consumption in 2020

• 2020 was a record year for natural gas consumption in Greece: It was increased by 9.58% (MWh) compared to 2019 and by 99% compared to 2014.
• Record year for the LNG gasification of Revithoussa, as well, with an increase of 3.8% compared to 2019. Consistently high levels of LNG imports with 49 cargos from 8 countries.
• LNG also dominated gas imports in 2020, due to lower prices compared to pipeline gas.
• Significant increase in gas imports from the US from 2,502,578 MWh in 2019 to 16,122,375 MWh in 2020.
• Electricity producers consumed the largest quantities of natural gas last year, covering 65% of demand.
• The LNG Terminal in Revithoussa enhances security of supply and competitive prices, covering almost half of the needs of the Users of the National Natural Gas System (NNGS) in 2020.

2020 has been a record year for natural gas consumption in Greece, according to DESFA’s yearly data. It is worth noting that almost half of the quantities that covered the needs of the Users of the National Natural Gas Transmission System (NNGTS) last year came from the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal of DESFA in Revithoussa.

According to data from DESFA, domestic consumption in the period January-December 2020 reached 63.1 million Megawatt hours (MWh) from 57.4 million MWh in 2019. Actually, 46.18% of natural gas came from imports of LNG cargo, with 49 tankers in total, unloading in the tanks of Revithoussa in 2020 (from 50 in 2019). It is even noted that the gasification capacity of the Revithoussa Terminal has increased significantly, thanks to the implementation of large upgrade projects, with the construction of the 3rd tank being the largest. Thus, as shown by the data of DESFA, the quantities of gasification for 2020 have increased fivefold compared to 2014.

Regarding domestic consumption, the largest quantities of natural gas were consumed by electricity producers, which covered 65% of the overall demand. They were followed by residential and commercial consumers, supplied through distribution networks, consuming 19%, while 16% was requested by national industries that are directly connected to DESFA’s high pressure system.

LNG, due to lower prices in comparison to pipeline gas, dominated in domestic consumption last year. According to data, the tankers that unloaded in Revithoussa transported cargo from 8 different countries. Although in 2019, Algeria maintained a dominant position in the quantities of LNG imported to the country with a percentage of 20%, in 2020 USA took the first place with a percentage of 48%. Qatar also recorded double digits (22%), followed by Nigeria and Algeria with 9% and Norway, Egypt, France and the Netherlands with 3%.

Until December 2020, Greece had three gas entry points: one in the Greek-Turkish border in Kipi, one in the Greek-Bulgarian border near Sidirokastro and one in the Revithoussa LNG terminal (Ag. Triada entry point). The import of natural gas at these points was allocated as follows: 53.82% of natural gas was imported through the two NNGTS main entry points from Bulgaria (31.9 m MWh) and Turkey (6.1 m MWh), while 46.18% was imported through the LNG terminal of Revithoussa (32.6 m MWh).

From the end of December 2020, the entry point of Nea Mesimvria, which connects the National Natural Gas System (NNGS) with the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), was put into commercial operation, and from this point 650 MWh were imported until 31.12.2020. In this way, Greece now has four gas entry points, while it is also worth mentioning that the connection of the NNGS with TAP significantly enhances the country's role in the regional energy landscape, as the Natural Gas System is now connected to one of the largest gas markets in Europe, that of Italy, which in turn is connected to Northern Europe through Switzerland and Germany.

* The interconnection point with TAP in Nea Mesimvria was put into commercial operation on 31/12/2020

DESFA's infrastructure has contributed substantially to the diversification of gas supply sources and security of supply. The liberalization of the energy market and the Third Party Access (TPA) regime, under which DESFA operates, also strengthens price competition. Third party access (TPA) is governed by the provisions of European Union and national law, ensuring open access to any interested party.

For yet another year, the role of Greece as an energy hub in the wider SE Mediterranean region is confirmed in practice, as an increase in the quantities of natural gas exported to Bulgaria is noted. Specifically, in 2020, natural gas quantities of 7.3 m MWh were exported from the exit point of Sidirokastro to Bulgaria.

Data on Natural Gas Consumption in 2020