Spain's gas demand seen falling this year as blackout boost fades (updated)
17/02/2026 12:14
Recasts with 2026 forecast By Pietro Lombardi MADRID, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Spain's gas demand is expected to fall by around 7% this year as the boost given by a major blackout on April 28 softens, the chief of gas grid operator Enagas ENAG.MC said on Tuesday. After last year's huge blackout in Portugal and Spain - Europe's most significant in more than two decades - the power grid operator increased the use of steady sources like gas plants to generate electricity, which cost more but better control voltage. That pushed up gas demand for electricity generation by around a third last year, CEO Arturo Gonzalo said at a press conference following the company's 2025 results. Overall gas demand, including exports to countries like France, rose 7.4% to reach the equivalent of 372 terawatt hours. This year, demand is expected to fall to around 345 TWh, a level close to 2024, Gonzalo said. Spain's exports of natural gas to France rose roughly 59% in 2025 as the neighbouring country filled its underground storage facilities. Overall gas exports rose 17%. (Reporting by Pietro Lombardi; Editing by David Latona and Jan Harvey) ((Pietro.Lombardi@thomsonreuters.com;))