Gas supply in Germany: less gas, more serenity
By the middle of 2025, the gas storage facilities are only half full. This was different in previous years. What does the Federal Network Agency say about this?
With a capacity of 3.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas, the natural gas storage facility in Rehden is the largest natural gas storage facility in Western Europe.
(Image: Sefe)
Fear of a winter with cold heating or unaffordable, high prices: These were widespread concerns three years ago after Russia invaded Ukraine and gas supply routes that were thought to be secure suddenly failed or were deemed unsafe. The filling level of German gas storage facilities suddenly became an indicator of well-being, even in summer. Now, in July 2025, the situation looks completely different: Gas storage facilities in Germany are not even half full.
But is this a sign of easing? Or rather a warning sign because the public's focus has shifted to other issues? We asked the Federal Network Agency, which continues to publish the latest figures and data on Germany's gas supply on its website.
Significantly more in storage last year
On June 28, German gas storage facilities were 49.86% full. The curve is pointing upwards and follows the trend of previous years. Nevertheless, the storage facilities were already 80 percent full at the halfway point of the previous year. Things are likely to get interesting in the fall: Section 35b of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) stipulates that the filling levels must be 80 percent on October 1 and 90 percent on November 1. However, the Federal Ministry of Economics can order deviating regulations.
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“The Federal Network Agency will monitor the market achievement of the filling level targets. If the market filling level is not sufficient, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs will decide on the appropriateness of measures based on the criterion of security of supply,” explained the Federal Network Agency in response to an inquiry from heise online. “At present, no restrictions on security of supply are to be expected. When assessing security of supply, it is not only the storage level that needs to be considered, but also, for example, the diversified supply situation in Europe via LNG terminals, which has been strengthened in recent years.”
What the Federal Network Agency says
The Federal Network Agency currently considers the gas supply to be stable. Security of supply is guaranteed, it says. Gas storage facilities are generally being filled and used economically by traders and suppliers. The level of storage filling at a specific point in time can therefore depend on current market conditions.
The majority of gas imports in Germany come from Norway. A lot of natural gas also arrives from Belgium and the Netherlands. Germany's LNG terminals are also recording rising import figures. However, a large amount of gas is only transported through Germany to Austria. There, the share of imports from Germany has risen significantly after imports from Eastern Europe fell massively.
(mki)
