4.3. Europe region
Restrictions on CO2 emissions, the nuclear phase out announced
by some member states, high emissions from coal based
generation, and obstacles to rapid development of renewable
generation, are factors that seem to force the European Union
(EU) into a high dependency on natural gas. Therefore, in Europe,
natural gas has great importance. Many people believe (some
countries even instituted policies) that natural gas will be the fuel
that will become the bridge to an energy future with less reliance
on coal and nuclear power. Furthermore, in 2009, about 26% of
the primary energy consumption of the 27 members of the
European Union came from natural gas, making it a very important
fuel today.
The European consumption of natural gas by different sectors
is represented in Fig. 10.
In the residential and commercial sector, gas consumption has
steadily increased due to the expansion of the infrastructure and
the associated rise in the number of gas consumers. In last 15
years, gas consumption has seen a 2.8% growth, per annum, to
175 mtoe (million tone oil equivalent). Since, gas currently holds
a market share of approx. 35% and, which makes it the market
leader in this sector until 2030, Euro gas expects gas sales to
increase by 0.4%, per annum, to 194 mtoe.
Currently gas accounts for 31% of industrial final energy
consumption (excluding industrial power stations) and is thus a
major source of energy in this market, too. The role of natural gas
for power generation has increased significantly, ever since last
15 years, particularly because of developments in the UK, Italy
and Spain. Today, gas-fired power stations produce one-fifth of
the electricity in the EU (7.5% in 1990).
The annual growth rate in this market segment during this
period is projected to be 2.7%, which means that power generation
should increase its share from 28% (2005) to 38% of total gas
demand in 2030. While gas demand in Europe will rise by 43% by