What role does natural gas play in Spain's energy system?
Natural gas is not just a source for generating electricity. It also matters for industry, heat and supply security.
Understanding Spain's energy system requires looking beyond renewables and oil. Gas still occupies a relevant space as industrial fuel, electrical backup and imported energy.
In 2024, Spain's gas system recorded demand of 312.3 TWh.
Industry was the main use of gas, with 176.8 TWh, and 60.4% of entries arrived as liquefied natural gas.
Where natural gas is used
Gas is not concentrated in a single use. In Spain it weighs most heavily in industry, but also feeds combined-cycle plants, domestic-commercial consumption and LNG tanker supply.
Gas consumption breakdown by use in 2024
Demand has moderated but remains high
Total gas demand fell from recent peaks, but remains well above marginal use. The recent series shows the gas system continues to be a structural component.
Total natural gas demand in Spain (2020-2024)
Natural gas and electricity
In the electricity system, gas mainly appears via combined-cycle plants. In 2024 they contributed 35.75 TWh, equivalent to 13.62% of the national electricity mix.
Natural gas remains important because it enables flexible electricity generation when renewable output falls or demand rises.
How gas enters Spain
External dependency is visible at the entry point: gas arrives mainly as LNG unloaded at regasification plants and, to a lesser extent, by pipeline.
Gas entries by route in 2024
Sectoral breakdown in 2024
| Use | TWh | % |
|---|---|---|
| Industria | 176.8 | 56.7% |
| Generacion electrica | 74.7 | 24% |
| Domestico y comercial | 47.9 | 15.4% |
| Cisternas de GNL | 12.4 | 4% |
What the data tells us
1 Natural gas plays an important role in electricity generation and industry.
2 Spain imports virtually all the gas it consumes, with LNG as the dominant entry format.
3 Combined-cycle plants allow the system to balance when renewables produce less.
In coming years, part of gas use could be replaced by renewable gases such as biomethane.