Austrian gas demand rises with strong generation

OREANDA-NEWS. Austrian gas-fired generation increased in February from a year earlier as aggregate power demand rose, while low hydro stocks could continue to boost gas consumption.

Aggregate gas consumption increased to 32.7mn m?/d in February from 29.6mn m?/d a year earlier, driven by gas-fired generation rising to 26 GWh/d from 23.3 GWh/d. Aggregate domestic generation climbed to 177 GWh/d from 153 GWh/d.

Low hydro stocks, which stood at 986GWh in February compared with 1.429GWh a year earlier, could boost power sector gas demand heading into the summer. Hydro stocks were close to the lowest for the time of year since 1999. Hydro output accounted for 61pc of aggregate generation in 2014.

Colder weather also lifted heating demand, with average temperatures in Vienna falling to +2.9°C in February from +4.6°C a year earlier. But temperatures remained above the seasonal norm, limiting the increase in heating demand.