Europe hits record high LNG imports in May
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Europe recorded an all-time high in LNG imports in May 2025, with liquefied natural gas becoming the continent’s top energy source.
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The sun sets over a liquefied natural gas power plant in Santa Clara, Batangas province, Philippines on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (AP)
In May, Europe set an all-time record for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, marking the third consecutive month of historic highs in purchases, TASS reported on Monday, citing Gas Infrastructure Europe.
By the end of May, LNG flows from the European terminals into the EU gas transportation system reached approximately 12.8 billion cubic meters, marking a 0.7% increase compared to April and a 38% rise relative to May 2024. The previous record of 12.7 billion cubic meters was established in April of this year.
From January to May, LNG shipments from terminals into the European gas transportation system totaled approximately 59.5 billion cubic meters, reflecting a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
According to data from the European Network of Gas Transmission System Operators as of May 30, LNG supplies account for 38% of Europe's gas sources in 2025, making it the leading supply source, followed by North Sea supplies, primarily Norwegian gas, at 24.7%, while gas withdrawals from storage facilities rank third with a 17.8% share.
These figures represent a 4.3% increase compared to supplies originating from the East, which include Russian and Ukrainian gas as well as withdrawals from storage facilities in Ukraine, while gas imports from North Africa contributed 9.1% to Europe's supply mix, followed by Great Britain with 3% and Azerbaijan with 3.1%.
Europe shifts to LNG as it decreases dependency on Russia
A study released by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis in February 2024 revealed that while Europe has reduced its energy demand by 20% since the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia war, 2025 was expected to witness a significant surge in liquefied natural gas demand.
Shell's LNG Outlook 2024 report also expected a surge in global demand for liquefied natural gas, projecting it to grow by more than 50%, reaching 625-685 million tons annually by 2040.
This increase is primarily fueled by two major factors: China's industrial sector transitioning from coal to natural gas in pursuit of cleaner energy solutions, and South and Southeast Asian countries increasingly depending on LNG to support their rapid economic growth and energy demands.
