Consumption of natural gas increases 23.6% in October

The consumption of natural gas increased 23.6% in October, compared to the same period of the previous year. This increase was due to a 48% growth in the electricity market, as a result of the high use of natural gas power plants, and 10.9% in the conventional market, which includes the remaining consumers. In the year to date, natural gas consumption recorded a year-on-year change of 4.6%, as a result of a 12.2% growth in the electricity market and 0.9% in the conventional market.

The consumption of electricity increased 1.7% in October, or 1.1% when correcting for temperature and working days. At the end of October, accumulated annual consumption registered a negative year-on-year evolution of 1.7%, or 0.8% less when correcting for temperature and working days.

Dam inflows remain below the average values for this time of year, with the October hydropower capability index registering 0.47 (historical average of 1). In wind generation, conditions were more favourable, with the corresponding capability index registering 1.03 (historical average of 1). Renewable production fuelled 43% of domestic consumption and non-renewable production accounted for 48%, while the remaining 9% were supplied with imported energy.   

At the end of October, the annual hydropower capability index stood at 0.60 (historical average of 1), reflecting the dry conditions that have been observed, while the wind-power capability index recorded 1.00, in line with the average regime. In the same period, production was similarly divided between renewable and non-renewable sources, with 45% of domestic consumption each, and the remaining 10% being supplied by imports. In renewables sources, wind power represents 24% of consumption, hydropower 13%, biomass 6%, and photovoltaics 2.3%. Among non-renewable sources, natural gas supplied 33% of consumption and coal 11%. Coal production has been historically low, with coal-fired power plants falling to the lowest usage ever in the period from January to October.