Belgium gas markets long-term outlook 2020

Belgium’s gas demand will grow by 6% between 2019 and 2040 despite the pressures that will be put on fossil fuel usage in Europe. Growth in demand will be driven by major changes in the power sector as use of coal-derived gas and nuclear power is phased out in the mid-2020s. Gas will be key a key replacement fuel along with renewables. Efficiency gains and the replacement of gas-fired boilers with electrical alternatives such as heat pumps will reduce gas demand in the residential sector despite an increasing population. However, industrial gas demand will grow steadily over the forecast supported by Belgium’s large petrochemical and refining industry. Belgium has no domestic gas production and is 100% reliant on gas imports. With the decline of Dutch gas imports due to the closure the Groningen field, Belgium is preparing to move to using H-gas only. Belgium will remain a key transit country for Norwegian piped gas and regasified LNG imports into neighbouring markets.