Spain gas demand rises as blackout boost continues

MADRID, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Spain's gas demand grew 2.6% in the first nine months of the year as the country keeps burning more gas to produce electricity, gas grid operator Enagas ENAG.MC said on Tuesday.

After last year's unprecedented blackout in Portugal and Spain, the Spanish power grid operator increased the use of steady sources like gas plants to generate electricity, which cost more but better control voltage.

The use of gas to produce electricity rose 19% in the January to September period when compared to a year earlier, pushing overall gas demand to the equivalent of 242 terawatt hours.