On 4 January 2024, the Federal Network Agency published the annual gas supply figures for 2023. According to preliminary figures, Germany imported a total of 968 TWh of natural gas in 2023 (2022: 1,437 TWh). The largest volumes came from Norway (43%), the Netherlands (26%) and Belgium (22%).
Gas exports to neighbouring countries have fallen significantly compared to the previous year: Gas exports totalled 187 TWh in 2023 (2022: 499 TWh). At 42%, the largest share was exported to the Czech Republic, with gas exports to the Netherlands at 19% and to Austria at 18%.
The liquefied natural gas terminal in Wilhelmshaven was the first German terminal to commence operations in December 2022. This was followed by the terminals in Lubmin in January 2023 and Brunsbüttel in March 2023. The LNG terminal in Stade was the fourth German terminal to go into operation in December 2023. The first gas flows are expected there in February 2024. A total of 69,656 GWh of natural gas was imported to Germany via German LNG terminals in 2023. This corresponds to a 7% share of total German gas imports.
Mild temperatures have an impact
Germany saved a lot of gas in 2023. Compared to the previous year, gas consumption fell by 5% overall. Around 41% of total German gas consumption was attributable to households and commerce and 59% to industry. Compared to average consumption in the years 2018 to 2021, natural gas consumption fell by 17.5 %. Private households and commercial enterprises saved 16.4 %. The decline in consumption in industry compared to previous years was 18.3 %.
The figures for the fourth quarter of 2023 also provide an interim assessment of the current winter half-year. In the months of October to December 2023 alone, gas consumption in industry was 16% lower than in 2018 to 2021. Consumption by households and businesses was 16.7% lower.
Temperatures had a major influence on gas consumption. Overall, they reduced consumption compared to previous years. On average, temperatures in 2023 were 0.58 °C above the average for the years 2018 to 2021. They were 1.5 °C above the monthly average in October and 0.3 °C above the monthly average in November. December, on the other hand, was warmer than in the years 2018 to 2021 with an average temperature of 4.0 °C and was 0.8 °C above the comparative value.
Lower prices for gas
Legal requirements apply to the filling of gas storage facilities, which stipulate a fill level of 85% by 1 October and 95% by 1 November. Both deadlines were met much earlier in 2023. The storage facilities were already 85% full in July 2023 and reached a fill level of 95% on 25 September 2023. Since 9 April 2023, most of the gas has been injected until the storage facilities were finally 100% full on 4 November 2023.
As in the previous year, the gas storage facilities are currently 91% full. This is a very good basis for the remaining winter months. Filling the gas storage facilities will remain a challenge in 2024 due to the remaining uncertainties in the German gas supply.
Gas prices fell significantly again in 2023 compared to the previous year. The average price level of the day-ahead price was €41/MWh in 2023. In 2022, it was significantly higher at an average of €127.1/MWh. It is currently hovering around €30/MWh.
