Germany’s gas storage facilities are already 75.43% full, operating companies reported Saturday night, August 13. Under the EU gas storage regulation adopted in May, the 75% mark was expected to be reached by September 1. According to the German Association of Operators of Gas and Hydrogen Storage Systems INES, it was possible to speed up the filling of storage facilities by reducing summer gas consumption and increasing the volume of blue fuel imports from northwest Europe.

EU regulation stipulates that German storage facilities must be at least 85% full by October 1st and at least 95% by November 1st. However, if the current momentum continues, these goals will also be achieved sooner. According to the EU plan, the increase in gas reserves will have to compensate for any fluctuations in the gas market, until the complete cessation of gas supplies from Russia.

Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation, Gazprom has already reduced the volume of gas exports to European countries. Thus, the gas supply via Nord Stream has been reduced to 20% of its production capacity as of 27 July. Gazprom explained this through repair work. At the same time, Russia increased supplies through the Transgaz pipeline that passes through Ukraine and Slovakia.

The European Union’s goal is to save 15% of gas

As part of the fight against the energy crisis, the European Union is not just filling up gas tanks. On August 9, an emergency plan went into effect to reduce natural gas consumption. It predicts that all EU countries will voluntarily reduce gas consumption by 15% from early August to March 2023, compared to average consumption over the last five years during that period.

According to the European Commission, in this way EU countries will have to save a total of 45 billion cubic meters of gas. In particular, Germany will have to cut its gas consumption by around 10 billion cubic meters to reach the 15% target. Otherwise, amid widespread supply shortages, the next step could be to raise an EU-wide alert and impose mandatory targets to reduce gas consumption.