The Initiative Energien Speichern (Ines) has issued a warning regarding gas storage in Germany. According to the association, the storage facilities may not be sufficient to meet demand in winter 2026/2027, especially during extremely cold temperatures. The current filling level of gas storage is only 26 percent, attributed to inadequate storage in recent months.
Ines emphasizes that high gas prices and international crises, such as the war in Iran, further exacerbate the situation. These factors lead energy traders to have little incentive to store gas. The association therefore calls for monitoring of storage levels and raising consumer awareness to avoid potential shortages.
Storage operators warn that in a cold winter, similar to that of 2010, supply shortages could occur particularly in January, February, and March 2027. In such a case, there may not be enough gas available for all consumers, significantly jeopardizing energy supply.
Although storage capacities with a filling level of 76 percent have been booked for November 1, it remains unclear whether these capacities will actually be utilized. The association points out that gas for the upcoming winter is currently cheaper than in summer, making storage unattractive for traders.
