gas consumption in Germany: Winter 2024/25 brings record rise

Calculated weather - gas consumption increases by almost nine percent | Magdeburger News | The news portal

Gas consumption in Germany increased significantly during the current heating season in the winter of 2024/25, with an increase of 8.9 percent compared to the previous year. This emerges from an investigation by the Federal Network Agency, which was taken up by various media. The data clarifies that both private households and companies had to fall back on gas.

In particular, the industrial sector recorded an even stronger increase by 10.1 percent with an increase in gas consumption, while consumption in households and businesses increased by 7.7 percent. Overall, the gas consumption was 594,314 gigawatt hours (GWH).

A decisive factor for this increase was the weather. According to Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, it was an average of 1.4 degrees colder in the current heating season than in the previous year. This temperature shift has significantly influenced gas consumption. Müller emphasized the importance of the weather conditions for gas consumption and pointed out that the current numbers should raise awareness of the actual energy requirement.

Compared to the heating periods from 2018 to 2021, i.e. before the disturbed Russian gas deliveries, consumption has dropped by 8.9 percent. These declines are particularly due to the more restrictive consumption habits of households and companies that have reduced their gas consumption by 11.5 percent, while industry only recorded a decrease of 6.6 percent.

Müller emphasized the performance of the households, the more conscious and sustainable heating. However, he warned against becoming careless and emphasized that energy efficiency and responsible use of energy must remain priority in the future. These appeals are particularly important at a time when energy prices rise and the climate goals continue to play a central role in the social debate.