Europe acts as the swing market for LNG, and as a result the region is expected to help absorb the LNG 'wave' conning onto the market in the second half of the 2010s and early 2020s. But the gas industry in the region is facing major uncertainties: the future role of natural gas in the whole energy system is in question, primarily as a result of greater governmental support for renewables. Nonetheless, with declining indigenous production, the region will see its imports rise, but by when, by how much, and from which sources is still unclear. This section focuses on regional gas market fundamentals and the repercussions for LNG up to 2030. (Unless otherwise stated, the term 'Europe' applies to a region that encompasses 35 countries: EU28 plus Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, and Turkey. Due to availability of data, some statistics may apply to different groups of countries representing Europe; details will be given where appropriate.)
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