This was influenced by the increase in consumption of electricity generation units (+31.59%), the rise in consumption from large industries and CNG stations directly connected to the National Transmission System, which recorded an increase of 74.13%, and the increase in consumption from residential users and distribution network-connected businesses (+4.83%).
According to the relevant data from DESFA for 2024, the total demand (domestic consumption & exports) of natural gas increased by 2.23%, reaching 69.11 TWh from 67.6 TWh in 2023. A significant 30.03% increase was recorded in domestic consumption, which reached 66.2 TWh from 50.91 TWh, while exports of natural gas decreased by 82.56% from 16.69 TWh the previous year.
Despite the annual decrease, exports recorded a significant increase in the last quarter of 2024 – from 0.66 TWh in the nine-month period of 2024 to 2.91 TWh at the end of the year – mainly due to the commencement of commercial operation of the FSRU Alexandroupolis and the connection of the IGB pipeline to the National Gas Transmission System in Komotini.
Natural gas imports amounted to 69.37 TWh, showing an increase of 2.45% compared to 67.71 TWh in 2023. The largest quantities of natural gas were imported into the National Gas Transmission System from the Sidirokastro Entry Point, which accounted for 51.6% (35.8 TWh) of total imports in 2024.
Revithoussa Terminal Station
As for the contribution of other entry points, the Revithoussa Terminal Station covered 26.43% of imports (18.34 TWh), followed by the entry point at Nea Mesimvria, through which gas from the TAP pipeline is delivered, covering 18.07% of imports (12.54 TWh). Finally, the entry point at Amfitritis (FSRU Alexandroupolis) saw imports of 2.69 TWh, accounting for 3.87% of total imports.
Regarding LNG unloadings at the Revithoussa Terminal Station during the past year, these amounted to approximately 18.69 TWh from 27 tankers, compared to 28.52 TWh from 41 tankers in 2023. The U.S. remained the largest LNG exporter to Greece with 13.89 TWh (71.64% of total LNG imports) from 19 tankers, compared to 10.75 TWh from 17 tankers in 2024, marking an increase of 24.56%. Russia came second with 2.86 TWh (15.3%), a decrease of 65.87% compared to 2023. Algeria followed with 1.46 TWh (7.81%), and Norway ranked last in 2024 with 0.98 TWh (5.24%). Regarding the LNG Truck Loading service at Revithoussa, 261 LNG trucks were loaded in 2024, transporting a quantity of 11,632 m³ of LNG, equivalent to 76,704 MWh of energy.
Categories of Natural Gas Consumers Regarding the categories of natural gas consumers, the largest portion of domestic consumption (68.65%) pertains to electricity generation units, which recorded an increase of 31.59% compared to the same period last year. Consumption from residential users and distribution network-connected businesses accounted for 17.71% of total domestic demand, showing an increase of 4.83% compared to the previous year. Finally, domestic industries and CNG stations directly connected to the high-pressure system of DESFA increased their natural gas use by 74.34% compared to 2023, covering 13.62% of domestic consumption for 2024.
DESFA's infrastructure in 2024 significantly contributed to the diversification of natural gas supply sources and enhanced the security of supply for both Greece and the wider region. The liberalization of the energy market and the regulated Third Party Access (TPA) regime, under which DESFA provides access to the National Gas Transmission System, promotes competition among natural gas suppliers to the benefit of the final consumer. Third Party Access (TPA) is governed by the provisions of the European Union and national legislation, ensuring open access to any interested party.
