During every winter, energy demand increases, especially due to heating needs, which raises the topic of gas storage as one of the most important energy sources. Many European countries use gas for heating households, business premises and industrial facilities. Storage is most relevant during the summer months, in order to prepare the lands for winter.
As for the European Union, it achieved its goals in preparations for the winter season, successfully filling gas storage facilities to 90 percent capacity more than two months ahead of schedule. Thanks to the EU Regulation on Gas Storage (EU/2022/1032) from 2022, member countries are obliged to have their storage facilities at least 90 percent full every year by November 1, as stated on the European Commission’s website.
Data show that by August 19, gas storage levels in the EU reached 1,025 terawatt-hours, which is equivalent to almost 92 billion cubic meters of natural gas.
One of the most significant shifts was towards liquefied natural gas (LNG), with the United States becoming the EU’s primary supplier. In addition, Norway is now the largest supplier of pipeline gas to the EU.
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France is an example of a country that filled its gas storages up to 90 percent early, by September 10, 2024, ensuring stability on the domestic market ahead of winter. Thanks to favorable conditions for the import of LNG, as well as stable gas consumption, France managed to avoid potential shortages and to provide industry and consumers with security in planning their energy needs.
A similar success was achieved in Germany, which filled its warehouses up to 85 percent of capacity even 11 weeks before the planned deadline of October 1. With this, the country set a goal that the warehouses would be filled to 95 percent by November 1, and then to remain at least 30 percent full until February 1 of the following year. During the previous winter, Germany also reached targets early, which ensured a stable supply during the cold months.
By the way, Germany is one of the biggest European gas consumers. Before the geopolitical changes, the country relied on Russian gas, but now it sources LNG and gas from Norway. Italy, which also has a large consumption of gas for heating and power generation, is therefore diversifying its sources, including gas from North Africa. Although France mainly uses nuclear energy for electricity, for which it is known, gas is still an important component of the energy mix, especially for heating.
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Source: energetskiportal.rs
