Spain's gas demand soars as power plants burn more since blackout

MADRID (Reuters) -Spain has increased the amount of gas it burns to produce electricity as its power grids rely more on conventional gas-fired plants since a major blackout on April 28, gas grid operator Enagas said on Tuesday.

Conventional power plants like gas-fired combined cycle plants provide more stability to the grid's voltage than renewable sources such as wind farms and photovoltaic panels.

As a result, overall national gas demand rose 5.6% in the first half of the year, boosted by a 41.2% increase in demand to generate electricity, Enagas said.

Gas exports also rose in the period, in particular flows to France to fill its underground storage. Spain does not produce natural gas but re-exports gas shipped from producers such as the United States, Qatar and Russia to other European countries.

"Gas infrastructure plays a critical role in ensuring the security of the energy and electricity system and enabling the energy transition in Spain and Europe," Enagas Chief Executive Arturo Gonzalo said on Tuesday.

Spain's own underground gas storage facilities are over 75% full, he said, adding that this is above the 64% minimum the European Commission set for July 2025.

(Reporting by Pietro Lombardi. Editing by Inti Landauro and Mark Potter)