National gas demand continues to grow after increases in May and June: in July, consumption stood at 4.4 billion cubic meters, up 7% (+0.3 billion cubic meters) compared to the same period last year. And the comparison with July of last year confirms what was already recorded in the previous period, highlighting, in particular, the boost from the thermoelectric sector, which grew by 17% (+0.4 billion cubic meters). The heatwave at the end of the month and the simultaneous drop in hydroelectric production made clear the fundamental contribution of gas to meeting energy demand at times of greatest need, along with imports of French nuclear energy, confirming the importance of integration between different sources for the stability and reliability of the system. This is the snapshot provided by Snam’s Polaris Observatory, which will be released today and which then shows an almost constant picture for the residential and tertiary sectors, while the only slight decline compared to 2025 concerns the industrial sector (-72 million cubic meters; -7%).
Read more Trump raises tariffs on Canadian steel and cars to 50%
Ask the Sun
Questions are automatically suggested by 24Ore AI
based on the content viewed.
Consumption increases in the first six months
Demand growth is also recorded when looking at the January-July period. In this timeframe: demand is 37.5 billion cubic meters, up compared to the previous year (+0.4 billion cubic meters; +1%). The decline in the residential and tertiary sectors (-0.2 billion cubic meters; -1%), as well as other consumption, was balanced by the significant increase in the thermoelectric sector (+0.9 billion cubic meters; +6%). The industrial sector is instead substantially aligned with 2025 values (-72 million cubic meters; -1%). Furthermore, the decline in compressed natural gas (CNG) for automotive use continues (-6%).
Record electricity demand in July
Snam’s analysis also shows that electricity demand in July was the highest in recent years. Driving this was the significant heatwave, which supported the growth of gas thermoelectric generation compared to the same month last year (+2.1 terawatt-hours, +18%). Gas thus helped meet the higher electricity demand, covering 41% of total demand and compensating, along with imports from abroad, for the decline in hydroelectric power, which has been constant since the beginning of the year, and wind power.
Read more B-CAD brings the construction site of the future to the Cloud
The impact of the Hormuz Strait blockade
As for the quantities of gas injected into the network, in July the level remained almost stable compared to the same month in 2025 (-12 million cubic meters; -0.2%). The increase in imports from Tarvisio (+0.3 billion cubic meters, attributable to gas market dynamics linked to Northern Europe) and from Mazara del Vallo (+0.1 billion cubic meters; +8%) offset the reduction in flows from Passo Gries (-0.1 billion cubic meters; -9%) and liquefied natural gas (-0.1 billion cubic meters; -7%), which were affected by the consequences of the Hormuz Strait blockade.
Storage at 81 percent
The system nevertheless responded to the increase in demand, despite lower import availability, by modulating injections at storage sites. To date, deposits mark 81% of the fill level, well above the European average (61%), making Italy the EU country with the largest volume of stored methane, supporting system security. In the January-July period, gas injected into the network is substantially in line with last year’s figure (-0.1 billion cubic meters; -0.3%). LNG imports increase (+0.2 billion cubic meters; +2%), also supported by the contribution of the new floating regasifier in Ravenna, which entered service in May last year. Furthermore, Snam’s snapshot notes the continued growth of biomethane production (+34% compared to 2025), which strengthens supply diversification and progressively integrates renewable gases into the network.
Read more «Economic D-Day» against Iran: on sanctions Bessent also threatens China
