A record high in domestic fossil gas consumption was recorded in the first month of the year (8.1 TWh). Most of the imports were LNG (5.36 TWh), which also hit a record high, while Russian gas imports (2.13 TWh) were above the average for the last three years. Electricity accounted for the largest share of consumption (61.9%), while gas networks recorded the largest increase (+15.8% compared to January 2025), reaching 2.3 TWh. Compared to EU-27 Member States, Greece had the 8th highest increase in consumption between 2025 and 2024.
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 (January 2026), as well as Data of N.G. Nominations / Allocations from DESFA’s New Commercial Information System (January 2026). It also uses the latest monthly data published by Eurostat on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported from Russia (December 2025), and on gas consumption for comparison between the EU-27 Member States (December 2025).
Consumption
January
In January 2026, we had a record high total domestic gas consumption of 8.1 TWh, exceeding the previous record of February 2025 by 3%. This is mainly due to the strong increase in consumption of networks and the continued high demand for gas for electricity production.
Compared to the previous month, consumption increased significantly in networks (+25.5% or +463 GWh) and, to a lesser extent, in industry (+3.8% or +30 GWh), while it decreased slightly in electricity production. Despite the decrease (-2.1%), electricity remained the largest consumer (5.01 TWh).
In terms of consumption breakdown by end-use, electricity remained the largest consumer with 61.9%, followed by networks with 28.1% and finally industry with 9.96%.
Compared to January 2025, total domestic gas consumption increased by 5.4% (+415 GWh), with networks recording the largest percentage increase (+15.8% or +311 GWh). In the industrial sector gas demand increased by 3.4% (+27 GWh), while in the power generation sector it increased by 1.6% (+78 GWh).
Exports
Total exports in January 2026 were 1.56 TWh, up 4.2% from December and 66.3% compared to January 2025. The largest share of exports was from Sidirokastro with 1.22 TWh, while exports from the IGB (Interconnector Greece Bulgaria) with Komotini as the exit point were 0.34 TWh. Exports from Nea Mesimvria were zero, as has been the case since April 2025.
Imports
January
Total imports into the National Transmission System, covering domestic needs exclusively, reached 8.09 TWh, the highest1 level ever recorded (+4.8% compared to December).
This is mainly due to LNG imports, which amounted to 5.36 TWh and covered 63.5% of total imports – the highest share in three years. Imports from the Revythousa FSRU (Agia Triada gate) reached 4.27 TWh (+27.8%), a level not reached since January 2020, while 1.09 TWh (+14.04%) entered from the Alexandroupolis FSRU (Amfitriti gate).
In second place was the Sidirokastro gate (which is the main entry point for Russian gas) with 2.13 TWh and a 25.3% share, 22.1% lower than in December 2025, but higher than the average monthly imports of Russian gas over the last three years. In third place was the Nea Mesimvria gateway (through which Azerbaijani gas is imported via the TAP pipeline) with 0.94 TWh, close to the monthly average for 2025 (0.92 TWh). Imports from the Kipoi gate were zero, as has been the case since January 2024.
Compared to January 2025, total gas imports increased by 5% (+0.39 TWh). LNG imports increased by 21.3% (+0.94 TWh), while imports from the Sidirokastro gate decreased by 23.5%. Imports from the Nea Mesimvria gate increased by 43.6% (+0.285 TWh) compared to January last year.
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, it continues to import significant quantities of Russian pipeline gas.
More specifically, in January 2026, imports via Sidirokastro amounted to 2.13 TWh, down 23.5% (-0.66 TWh) compared to January 2025, but slightly above the average for the last three years (2.11 TWh for January 2023-2025).
Comparison between EU-27 Member States
2025
According to the latest Eurostat data available for the EU-27 Member States (December 2025) and comparing the change in gas consumption between 2024 and 2025, Greece ranked 8th worst. More specifically, Greece increased its gas consumption by 5.36%, more than double the EU-27 average (+2.24%). However, Greece’s position for the twelve months of 2025 is an improvement compared to the eleven-month period from January to November (where it was in 9th place).
Of the remaining Member States, 10 reduced their consumption, led by Finland, Sweden, and Estonia (-18%, -9.72%, and -9.71%, respectively), while 15 countries increased their consumption, with Croatia, Portugal, and Slovenia in the worst positions (+11.3%, +11.2%, and 10.3%, respectively).
Read here the analyses of the previous months since the start of the EU reduction measures in August 2022.
