Turkey, in May, ranks as the second-largest consumer of natural gas in Europe according to a recent report.
Turkey witnessed a significant increase in natural gas consumption from May 2024 to May 2025, with residential demand leading the charge.
Residential consumption soared by 75.7% to 1.49 billion cubic meters (bcm) in May 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. This surge was primarily due to below-average seasonal temperatures in populous regions like Marmara and Eastern Anatolia, where increased heating needs drove up consumption [1][2].
Overall, natural gas consumption in Turkey increased by 28% year-on-year in May 2025, reaching approximately 4.08-4.1 bcm. This made Turkey the second-largest natural gas consumer in Europe after Germany for that month [1][2].
The average household consumption in May 2025 was around 70 cubic meters nationally, with higher consumption reported in colder regions: Marmara (71.5 m³) and Eastern Anatolia (86.3 m³) [2].
Other sectors also contributed to the increased gas usage, though less dramatically. Industry consumption rose modestly by about 4-4.2% to around 1.13-1.14 bcm, and power sector consumption increased by 11-16.4% due to elevated electricity generation needs during heatwaves and limited hydro and wind output [1][2][3].
Turkey's increased imports to meet demand included about 3.53 bcm in May 2025, sourced mainly via pipeline from Russia (1.19 bcm), Azerbaijan (1.05 bcm), Iran (791 mcm), Turkmenistan (120 mcm), and LNG imports from Algeria and the US [1].
The Sakarya Gas Field, located in the Black Sea, accounted for 269 million cubic meters of Turkey's national production in May 2025. Remarkably, the Sakarya Gas Field now accounts for over 90% of Turkey's national natural gas production [1].
Pipeline gas constituted 89% of Turkey's total natural gas imports in May 2025, while liquefied natural gas (LNG) made up the remaining 11%. Smaller contributions to Turkey's natural gas production came from Tekirdag, Kirklareli, and Istanbul [1].
Turkey's natural gas exports also saw a rise, with 157 million cubic meters exported in May 2025. The majority of these exports went to Bulgaria, with a small amount destined for North Macedonia [1].
Turkey's Natural Gas Distributors Association (GAZBIR) provided the data for the natural gas consumption figures. Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan were the main pipeline suppliers to Turkey, accounting for 1.19 bcm, 1.06 bcm, and 792 million cubic meters, respectively, during the January-May period [1].
Turkey ranked as Europe's second-largest consumer of natural gas after Germany in May 2025, consuming 4.1 bcm [1]. Industrial consumption in Turkey totaled 1.14 bcm in May 2025, marking a 4% rise from a year earlier [1].
Imports of natural gas in Turkey declined by 522 million cubic meters from April 2025, but still totaled 3.54 bcm in May 2025, a 23% increase compared to the same month in 2024 [1]. Among LNG exporters, Algeria and the United States provided 1.05 and 0.79 bcm, respectively, during the same period [1].
In summary, the primary reason for the surge in residential natural gas consumption was colder-than-average temperatures during May 2025, increasing heating demand significantly. Secondary factors included ongoing industrial use and increased electricity generation needs driven by weather conditions and constrained renewable output, all contributing to the overall rise in natural gas consumption and imports within Turkey [1][2][3].
[1] Data from Turkey's Natural Gas Distributors Association (GAZBIR) [2] Data from the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) [3] Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK)
- Despite the rise in natural gas consumption, Turkey's economy remained resilient, as shown by a strong performance in the sports sector during the same period.
- In a press conference, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkiye highlighted the country's increasing reliance on Russian natural gas imports, raising concerns about potential geopolitical implications.
- As the second-largest natural gas consumer in Europe, Turkey's increased consumption placed it in a strategic position, potentially influencing discussions around energy policies within NATO.
- In an effort to diversify its energy sources, Turkey has been exploring partnerships with countries like Syria and Iran, looking to tap into their reserves and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers like Russia.
