started · updated
Germany gas storage levels hit historic low for this time of year
German natural gas storage levels have reached a historic low for this time of year, currently sitting at approximately 49 to 50 percent. This is a significant decrease compared to the 67 percent recorded during the same period last year. Industry experts from the Initiative Energien Speichern (INES) warn that even if all currently booked storage capacities—which account for 78 percent of total capacity—are filled by winter, the volume may still be insufficient to guarantee supply during periods of extreme cold.
Economic factors are contributing to the slow replenishment. High procurement costs, driven in part by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, often exceed the expected selling prices for the winter, reducing the financial incentive for traders to stock up early.
Despite these low levels, the German Ministry of Economic Affairs has stated that a gas shortage is not expected this winter, noting that supply security depends on more than just storage levels, including imports from Norway, LNG terminals, and neighboring European countries. However, energy economists like Claudia Kemfert have called for more binding storage requirements and the establishment of a strategic reserve to mitigate risks associated with potential supply disruptions or extreme weather.
Entities
Austria · BSW-Solar · Bundesnetzagentur · Bundestag · Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft · Bundeswirtschaftsministerium · Carsten Körnig · Claudia Kemfert · Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs · German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs · German Ministry of Economic Affairs · Germany
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] To reach the 2030 goal of 215 GWp, an annual addition of approximately 20 GWp is required. www.solarserver.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Austria plans to shift PV subsidies from small solar installations to energy storage systems by 2027.
- [● 9 SOURCES] Germany reached its 2026 solar expansion target ahead of schedule, exceeding 128 GWp. www.solarserver.de · www.wz.de · www.fehmarn24.de
- [● 6 SOURCES] German gas storage levels are currently at approximately 50 percent capacity. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de · www.merkur.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Consumer advocates warn that low gas storage levels and rising import prices could increase winter costs.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Proposed German EEG reforms include a gradual phase-out of guaranteed feed-in tariffs for new PV systems.
- [● 14 SOURCES] German gas storage levels have reached a historical low for this time of year. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.zeit.de · novekedes.hu · www.finanzen.at · financije.hr · +3 more
- [DISPUTED] Current gas storage levels in Germany are at approximately 49 percent, compared to 67 percent at the same time last year. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.zeit.de · novekedes.hu · www.finanzen.at · www.mannheim24.de · +5 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Low storage levels could lead to higher energy prices for private households during the upcoming heating season. www.mannheim24.de · www.tz.de
- [● 14 SOURCES] The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs does not expect a gas shortage in the upcoming winter based on current knowledge. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.zeit.de · novekedes.hu · www.finanzen.at · financije.hr · +3 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Even if current booked storage capacities were fully filled by winter, the volume would not be sufficient to ensure supply during extremely low temperatures. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.zeit.de · novekedes.hu · www.finanzen.at · financije.hr · +3 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Current gas procurement costs often exceed the selling prices achievable for the winter, reducing economic incentives for storage. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.zeit.de · novekedes.hu · www.finanzen.at · financije.hr · +3 more