- Gas price increases in Europe.
- Energy savings and higher winter temperature reduces gas consumption in the Netherlands
Compared with the first two months of 2021, the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) has stated that January and February 2022 were two months in which gas consumption was 15% less due to an increased temperature and energy-saving measures that were in place.
The report comes from assertions on a ring round of the prominent energy companies in the Netherlands. In February 2022, the temperatures were low enough that natural ice was reasonably available, which led to an average gas-use reduction of 16.3% in the first two months. A spokesman for Essent also said, ‘In February 2021, we had two freezing weeks and this year nothing,’
He further went on to say, ‘But people are also being more careful about how much gas they are using.’
Also, Delta Energie – an energy firm in the Netherlands, noted a 16.7% deficit of gas consumption in the private households and business owners sector. Regardless of the change in weather, a difference still exists due to energy savings. He said, ‘We think people are being more careful with energy and have taken steps to reduce use, such as adding more insulation.’ Similar statistics were also affirmed in the report by Vattehfall and Greenchoice.
The gas price in Europe has attained unprecedented levels in the past few months; however, the government is devising measures to curtail the impact of the escalating costs. One of such is reducing taxes on energy. Additionally, houses with low incomes can now claim an additional €800 in compensation. Reports reveal that households will have to pay an average of €2,800 if they must have light and heat in their homes. This figure stands 86% more than they did in the previous year.