Germany Says Gas Supply for Winter Is Secure Despite Storage Target Miss

Germany's Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy stated on 3 November that the country will have enough natural gas this winter, even though gas storage levels did not reach the target set for 1 November. The statement was reported by Ukrainian outlet Evropeiska Pravda, citing the German broadcaster DW. The issue matters because stored gas underpins heating-season energy supply in Europe's largest economy.

Storage below target

According to AGSI, a European platform that publishes key data on the energy market, German storage sites are about 61.2% full. The level was supposed to reach 70% by 1 November. Germany's figure is also below the European Union average, which stands at almost 75%.

The ministry's explanation

A ministry spokeswoman said gas supply for the coming winter is guaranteed even at the current storage level. She recalled that since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Germany has successfully diversified its supply sources. A larger volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports in particular has helped ease fears of a shortage. Germany receives most of its LNG from the United States, with some volumes also coming from the Middle East.

The spokeswoman added that the 70% target should be treated flexibly, taking the overall energy supply situation into account.

Earlier warnings

In August, the Netherlands warned of a possible gas shortage in the event of a harsh winter. It was previously reported that, because of the US war against Iran and the halt of energy exports from the Middle East, Europe could enter the next heating season with its lowest gas stocks in 15 years.