According to the French gas transmission system operator (TSO) GRTgaz, gas consumption in France decreased by 9% in 2022 thanks to a mild weather, rising gas prices and consumer restraint (both voluntary and due to higher prices), that was partially offset by higher gas-fired power generation. Corrected for climate effects, gas consumption declined by 6.2% in 2022. Gas consumption contracted by nearly 12% in industry due to rising prices, energy efficiency efforts in some branches and economic constraints; the fall was particularly noticeable in gas-intensive industries such as metallurgy, refining and petrochemicals and non-metalling materials and porcelain (-19% each), but was lower in other branches (-5% for glass). Meanwhile, the unavailability of nuclear power plants contributed to raise gas-fired power generation and gas consumption from the power sector grew by more than 54% in 2022.
The drastic drop of Russian gas imports into Europe contributed to a 20% contraction in gas imports by pipeline, while LNG imports doubled, making France a major entry point for LNG in Europe: gas flows to Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and Germany increased 3.8-fold (reverse flows to Germany possible at Obergailbach as of October 2022). Overall, GRTgaz's transported volumes grew by 12% to 708 TWh.
In 2022, GRTgaz continued to adapt its network to integrate renewable gases (149 new methanation sites including 17 connected to its network). The TSO is also preparing for the development of the French and European hydrogen markets, including the structuring of hydrogen valleys in industrial zones. GRTgaz is taking part in the H2MED project that provides for the construction of a hydrogen transport infrastructure BarMar (Barcelona-Marseille) linking the Iberian Peninsula to France and which will then be extended to Germany.