Spain did not receive gas from Russia in September for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine. However, between January and September, Russian gas accounted for 15.2% of total imports, keeping Moscow as the third supplier.
For the first time since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Spain did not import natural gas from Russia during the past month of September. This is reflected in the latest statistical bulletin from Enagás, which confirms the total interruption of Russian flows in that month, as reported by Diario de León.
The monthly figure contrasts with the accumulated data for the year. Between January and September, Russian gas accounted for 15.2% of the total received in Spain, placing Moscow as the third supplier, behind Algeria (34.2%) and the United States (30.7%).
In September, supply was concentrated from three sources: the United States contributed 48.2% of the total, followed by Algeria with 29.3% and Nigeria with 10.9%. These three countries covered nearly 88% of the monthly supply.
Spanish gas reserves in underground storage closed September at 75% of their capacity, down from 87% a year earlier. Year-on-year, stocks have fallen by 13.7%, reducing the available margin ahead of winter, when consumption for heating and electricity generation increases.
The Spanish scenario is set against a backdrop of heightened tension across Europe. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) warned on Friday that Brussels may be forced to cut gas consumption by 7% during the winter compared to the same months of the previous year.
"European storage was 72.4% full on October 3, the lowest level for that date since records began in 2011," notes the IEEFA.
The institute estimates that covering the deficit through additional imports, rather than reducing demand, could cost around €3 billion, 12% more than last year.
The ban on imports of Russian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) under long-term contracts, established by Brussels to gradually eliminate dependence, will come into effect in the coming months.
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