Germany’s Federal Network Agency said concerns over a possible gas shortage in storage facilities this winter are overstated. In comments to DPA, agency head Klaus Mueller said current inventories already exceed the volume consumed during the entire previous winter half-year.
He said German gas storage sites currently hold a little more than 136 terawatt-hours of gas, equal to about 55% of total capacity. By comparison, the country used almost 134 terawatt-hours over the whole of last winter. Mueller added that there is still room to inject additional gas in the coming weeks.
Mueller also pointed to liquefied natural gas, or LNG, imports as an additional supply option. According to him, LNG terminals are currently operating at around 45% utilization and have enough spare capacity to handle further imports.
At the same time, the regulator’s chief argued against state intervention to fill storage sites. He said that remains the responsibility of traders, who can meet their obligations through pipeline supplies, LNG imports or withdrawals from storage. In his view, government intervention would be costly in any case.
Even so, Germany’s storage fill levels remain lower than in previous years, which has fueled concerns that reserves may not last through spring. Earlier, the Association of Underground Gas Storage Operators (INES) warned that in the event of a cold winter, German gas storage facilities could be completely depleted as early as the beginning of February 2027.
Experts estimate that storage facilities may be no more than 77% full by November 1. In the event of a very cold winter like the one seen in 2010, that volume may be insufficient to meet demand from all consumers, leading to a gas deficit.
