A study on consumer protection during gas phase-out

The EU aims to reach climate neutrality by 2050, which means phasing out almost all fossil fuels and shifting to renewable energy. As a result, gas consumption is already falling and will continue to decline over the next few decades as more households switch to cleaner, ultimately cheaper heating and cooling systems. As gas consumption declines, parts of today’s gas grid will become redundant. Some sections may be repurposed for hydrogen, but future hydrogen demand is uncertain, and repurposing is unlikely to apply to most distribution networks. This transition brings significant challenges for consumers. As fewer households remain connected to the gas grid, the fixed costs of maintaining the infrastructure will be spread across a shrinking user base. This means higher network charges per customer, particularly in areas where the grid cannot be fully depreciated or repurposed. These rising costs will hit low-income and vulnerable households hardest, especially those unable to afford a quick switch to cleaner heating. This Study examines how the gas phase-out will affect households, focusing on the financial pressures faced by consumers still connected to the gas grid in France and Spain. It quantifies the expected cost impacts on households and assesses the risks they may face during the transition. In addition, the Study reviews possible consumer safeguards and provides practical recommendations for a regulatory framework—both at the national level (in France and Spain) and at the EU level—to ensure strong consumer protection throughout the gas transition.