According to the Italian Gestore Mercati Energetici (GME), Italy's domestic gas consumption declined for the third year in a row, by 2.5% in 2024, to 61.7 bcm, its lowest level in more than 15 years, in a context of still high gas prices and milder temperatures. Gas demand rose by 1.3% in industry and by 1.8% in distribution grids, but gas consumption from the power sector contracted by 1.6% and it fell by 48% for exports and other consumption.
Consequently, gas imports declined by 3.4% to 58.7 bcm, including 75% imported through pipelines and 25% as LNG. LNG imports dropped faster (-10%) than pipeline imports (-0.9%), due to an improved regularity of pipeline flow, a greater availability of gas storage, reduced LNG transit in the Red Sea over security concerns, and maintenance shutdowns at Livorno and Panigaglia. Algeria remained Italy’s biggest gas provider (36%) despite a nearly 9% drop on imports, followed by Azerbaijan (17.5%).