Germany’s gas storage levels spark winter supply concerns

BERLIN

Germany's natural gas storage facilities are much lower than in recent years, raising concerns about the country's energy security should a harsh winter arrive.

According to official data, German gas storage was only 67% filled as of Monday, triggering warnings from opposition parties about potential supply issues in the coming months.

"The gas storage facilities in Germany are at historically low levels, even compared to neighboring countries," said Michael Kellner of the opposition Green Party. "I don't want to cause panic, but it worries me that supply security might not be guaranteed during a very, very cold winter,” he told public broadcaster ARD.

Current storage levels show a significant decline compared to previous years. For the same period in previous years, Germany's energy watchdog Bundesnetzagentur recorded higher storage levels: 75% in 2022, 90% in 2023, and nearly 92% in 2024.

The current 67% level also lags significantly behind neighboring European nations. France and Poland have achieved approximately 80% capacity, Austria 77%, and Belgium leads with 92% of its storage facilities filled.

Despite these concerns, Germany's Economy and Energy Ministry downplayed the risk of acute gas shortages.

"Unlike in previous years, we currently have four floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals available for supply," a ministry spokesperson told ARD. "The terminals ensure a very flexible possibility to import gas throughout the year. This has relatively reduced the attractiveness of gas storage,” she said.

Before the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russia provided nearly 55% of Germany's natural gas and 35% of its crude oil. Germany subsequently joined Western sanctions on Moscow and announced plans to end its reliance on Russian energy. Germany has since halted nearly all gas imports from Russia, especially after the September 2022 sabotage that damaged Nord Stream undersea pipelines.

Germany has replaced Russian gas with supplies from other countries, primarily Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium, though these alternatives are more costly. Large ports in Belgium and the Netherlands receive shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is then transported to Germany through pipeline networks.