According to preliminary estimates by Synergrid, the Belgian federation of gas and electricity networks, electricity consumption declined by 1.2% in 2012, to 82 TWh. This decline in consumption was slightly more pronounced for large industrial customers (-2.1%) than for those connected to distribution networks (-0.8%). The year 2012 was characterized by very high electricity imports: over 12% of all electricity consumed in Belgium in 2012 was imported. In the last quarter of 2012, net imports have even covered 23% of consumption, following the temporary shut down of Tihange 2 and Doel 3 nuclear power plants.
Total gas consumption in Belgium amounted to 186 TWh in 2012, which represents a slight increase (+1.2%) compared to 2011. Only the segment of residential, commercial and SME connected to distribution networks increased compared to 2011 (+11.5%), due to lower temperatures in 2012 compared to 2011. However, consumption from large industrial customers declined by 3.3% throughout the year. Moreover, gas demand from thermal power plants fell by 10.7% in 2012, even during the nuclear temporary shut-down.
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