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Netherlands gas storage levels fall short of winter targets
The Dutch state-owned infrastructure company Gasunie has warned that the Netherlands is unlikely to reach its natural gas storage target of 115 TWh before the winter season begins. As of late August, storage levels were reported at approximately 44 to 45 percent capacity, significantly lower than the 94 percent recorded in 2023 and 63 percent in 2024.
The primary reason for the slow replenishment is economic; high summer gas prices compared to anticipated winter prices have made it commercially unattractive for private energy companies to purchase and store gas. To mitigate this, the state-owned Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN) has been actively filling reserves in facilities such as Norg, Grijpskerk, and Bergermeer.
Gasunie emphasized that failing to meet the 115 TWh target does not automatically imply an immediate gas shortage or a threat to supply security. However, the company cautioned that without additional government policy measures, the country remains insufficiently prepared for a scenario involving one of the most severe winters seen in the last three decades. Energy Minister Stientje van Veldhoven has expressed confidence in the supply, noting that existing pipelines and terminals provide sufficient alternatives.
Entities
EBN · Energie Beheer Nederland · European Union · Gasunie · Netherlands · Stientje van Veldhoven
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Increased gas prices due to the Iran-Iraq war have made filling storage less attractive for market players. goudsdagblad.nl · www.transport-online.nl
- [● 17 SOURCES] The Netherlands will not meet its gas storage target of 115 TWh for this winter. goudsdagblad.nl · sputniknews.cn · www.transport-online.nl · www.sonhaber.eu · www.groentennieuws.nl · +12 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Gas storage levels in the Netherlands have declined annually since 2023. sputniknews.cn · www.sonhaber.eu
- [● 12 SOURCES] A gas shortage is unlikely unless there is an exceptionally severe winter. goudsdagblad.nl · sputniknews.cn · www.transport-online.nl · www.sonhaber.eu · www.groentennieuws.nl · +7 more
- [DISPUTED] As of August 24, Dutch natural gas storage is approximately 45.3 percent full. goudsdagblad.nl · sputniknews.cn · www.transport-online.nl · www.sonhaber.eu · www.groentennieuws.nl · +3 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] The national target is to have 115 TWh of gas stored by November 1. goudsdagblad.nl · www.transport-online.nl · www.sonhaber.eu · fr.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com · +10 more
- [● 14 SOURCES] High summer gas prices compared to expected winter prices make it commercially unattractive for energy companies to fill storage. www.sonhaber.eu · www.groentennieuws.nl · fr.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · +9 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] Failing to meet storage targets does not automatically mean a gas shortage or a threat to supply security will occur. www.sonhaber.eu · goudsdagblad.nl · www.groentennieuws.nl · sputniknews.cn · fr.euronews.com · +10 more
- [● 15 SOURCES] Without additional policy measures, the Netherlands is not sufficiently prepared for one of the harshest winters. goudsdagblad.nl · www.groentennieuws.nl · fr.euronews.com · hu.euronews.com · it.euronews.com · +10 more
- [DISPUTED] As of August 24, Dutch natural gas storage is approximately 44-45 percent full. kosovoenergy.com · newsbit.nl · www.sonhaber.eu · www.31mag.nl · goudsdagblad.nl · +2 more