Germany has missed its winter gas storage target, with storage levels at 61.35% as of 30 October, well below the 80% figure cited in some reports and the roughly 70% average legal target calculated for 1 November. The gas storage industry association INES said the failure shows storage levels for coming winters must be guaranteed more rigorously, and called for a storage obligation to be enshrined in law without delay.

The main driver, according to INES, has been the Iran war and its impact on prices, which made filling caverns over the summer uneconomical. A German economy ministry spokesperson said a higher fill level would have been preferable, but pointed to conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent price increases as the reason targets were missed. Berlin also rejected accusations from Italy that Germany failed to fill its stores to cut costs for its import companies ahead of privatisation.

Secure, but thinner than hoped

Despite the miss, the ministry and the Federal Network Agency say supply for the coming winter is secure, citing LNG terminals, Norway pipeline gas and other import options that were not available in the same way in 2022. State company Sefe has been ordered to buy extra gas and run special procurements. Looking further ahead, Germany plans a state-controlled strategic gas reserve from the 2027-28 storage year, holding about 24 TWh — nearly 10% of national storage capacity — financed in future by a consumer levy.