Consumers and industries in the Netherlands scaled back their use of natural gas substantially between July and October, while the country's gas imports went up 15 percent, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) said on Thursday.
The country consumed 7.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas, 17 percent less than in the same period last year. Gas consumption was down a hefty 30 percent compared with the last five years.
More gas was imported over the period, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports almost doubling. Fifty-two percent of LNG was imported by ship from the United States and Russia supplied 16 percent.
The decrease in natural gas consumption is partly due to the high natural gas prices. As a result, large industrial companies in particular, such as those active in the petroleum and chemical sector, consumed 26 percent less natural gas than in the same period last year.
The high prices for gas and other forms of energy, such as electricity and district heating, are driving up inflation in the country.
The CBS on Thursday reported that inflation stood at 9.9 percent in November, against 14.3 percent in October. The sharp fall was mainly due to the drop in the energy prices.
In November, energy was 70 percent more expensive than in the same month of 2021. In October, the year-on-year increase was 173 percent.
Food was 15.7 percent more expensive in November, mainly due to the higher prices of bread and cereals, meat and dairy products.
Editor: Galia
