European gas demand fell 11.2% on the year in 2014 to 409 Bcm, or 4,418 TWh, because of "exceptionally warm" weather, industry association Eurogas said Wednesday. The weather was the warmest in Dutch and German recorded history, and the warmest in 50 years for the Czech Republic, the organization said. This reduced the need for heating. The size of the year-on-year change was further boosted by the fact that 2013’s winter had been colder than average. Eurogas said that "notably low coal prices" and "low carbon dioxide prices" had also reduced gas consumption in the power generation sector, combined with competition from increased renewable energy sources. Article continues below… It also pointed to "a sluggish economic situation," although in some countries, such as Germany and Ireland, industrial demand for gas increased. In the Eurogas figures, covering the EU 28 countries, the biggest single consumer was Germany with 2014 demand […]