Gas consumption increased across all three sectors in March, reaching 6.6 TWh. Overall, for the first quarter of 2026, gas consumption in networks recorded a four-year high, while industrial gas consumption reached a five-year high. LNG ranked first in imports (4.7 TWh), but there was also a significant increase in imports via Sidirokastro (1.49 TWh, up 338% compared to February). Exports in March reached a three-year high (2.6 TWh), while for the first quarter of 2026, exports totaled 5.99 TWh, with Sidirokastro serving as the main export gateway (78%).
This analysis concerns domestic consumption, imports, and exports of fossil gas. It is based on the latest available data from DESFA on Validated Daily Natural Gas Deliveries / Off-takes (February 2026), as well as Data of N.G. Nominations / Allocations from DESFA’s New Commercial Information System (March 2026). It also uses the latest monthly data published by Eurostat on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported from Russia (February 2026).
Consumption
March
In March 2026, domestic gas consumption reached 6.6 TWh, marking a 15% increase compared to February, due to higher consumption across all three sectors. Compared to March of last year, demand rose by 24% (+1.3 TWh).
Specifically, the electricity sector accounted for the largest share (62%), reaching 4.1 TWh (+21.6% compared to February). This was followed by the utilities sector with 1.73 TWh and a slight increase compared to the previous month (+4.7%). Lastly, the industrial sector consumed 765 GWh, an increase of 7.9% compared to February and +11.8% compared to last year.
First three months of the year
Cumulatively in the first three months of the year, total domestic gas consumption was 20.43 TWh, slightly lower than in 2025 (-2.1%), when gas consumption was at its highest for this period of the year.
The electricity sector was the largest consumer, accounting for 61.1% and a cumulative consumption of 12.48 TWh for the quarter. However, compared to the first quarter of 2025, electricity consumption decreased by 6.4%.
The second largest consumers were networks, with a 27.7% share and total consumption of 5.67 TWh for the quarter, reaching a four-year high. Compared to the same period in 2025, consumption in networks increased by 4.9%.
Industry ranked last in consumption with 2.28 TWh and an 11.2% share of the total. However, this was the highest consumption in the five-year period for this time of year. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, gas demand in the industrial sector increased by 7%.
Exports
Total gas exports in March 2026 reached 2.57 TWh, a three-year high, surpassing the previous high set in February by 37.9% (+0.71 TWh).
Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, gas exports reached 5.99 TWh, more than quadrupling (+316%) compared to the same period in 2025. The largest portion of exports was routed through the Sidirokastro gate (4.7 TWh), while exports via the IGB (Interconnector Greece Bulgaria) with an exit point in Komotini reached 1.02 TWh. Exports from the Nea Mesimvria exit totaled 0.27 TWh
Imports
March
Total imports into the National Transmission System, covering domestic needs exclusively, amounted to 6.56 TWh in March, an increase of 14% compared to February. This increase is primarily due to the rise in net imports through the Sidirokastro gate.
LNG ranked first i imports in March with 4.72 TWh. Imports from the Revythousa FSRU (Agia Triada gateway) totaled 3.68 TWh (+4.6% compared to February). Imports from the Alexandroupolis FSRU (Amfitriti gate) totaled 1.04 TWh, down 22.3% from the previous month.
In second place was the Sidirokastro gate (which is the main entry point for Russian gas) with net imports of 1.49 TWh, returning to volumes exceeding 1 TWh and nearly 3.4 times higher than February’s imports.
In third place was the Nea Mesimvria gateway (through which Azerbaijani gas is imported via the TAP pipeline) with 0.94 TWh and a 15.2% decrease compared to January. Imports from the Kipoi gate were zero, as has been the case since January 2024.
First three months of the year
In the first quarter of 2026, total net gas imports used for domestic consumption amounted to 20.43 TWh, an increase of 11.2% compared to the first quarter of 2025.
LNG imports led the way with a 73.2% share, reaching a record high of 14.93 TWh. Net imports through the Sidirokastro gateway were 4.07 TWh, down 16.4% compared to 2025, while they accounted for a 19.9% share. Net imports through the Nea Mesimvria interconnection were 2.43 TWh, down 8.7% and accounting for 11.9% of the total.
Greece’s dependence on Russian gas
Greece has eliminated imports of Russian LNG since November 2024, thus already aligning itself with EU’s subsequent decision to ban imports of Russian gas from January 1st, 2027. However, as for Russian pipeline gas, imports continue. A portion is used for domestic consumption, while the majority is supplied to neighboring countries, as exports through the Sidirokastro gate have remained at high levels since the beginning of the year.
More specifically, for the first quarter of 2026, total imports via Sidirokastro were 8.77 TWh, an increase of 18.6% compared to the first quarter of 2025. However, exports through Sidirokastro for the same period were 4.7 TWh, meaning that net imports of Russian gas totaled 4.07 TWh.
Read here the analyses of the previous months since the start of the EU reduction measures in August 2022.
