Dutch gas storage falls to record low

Gas reserves in the Netherlands’ underground storage facilities have fallen to their lowest level since record-keeping began in 2011, highlighting mounting pressure on Europe’s energy system as the heating season draws to a close.

According to data published by Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), Dutch storage sites were just 4.95% full as of March 30, 2026. The Netherlands, traditionally one of Europe’s leaders in gas storage capacity, is now nearing depletion, Caliber.Az reports. 

The decline reflects a broader trend across the European Union, where major economies continue to draw down reserves. Germany’s storage facilities are 22.2% full, France’s 21.9%, Austria’s 34.8%, and Italy’s 43.7%, GIE data show.

Other EU member states report similarly reduced levels: Slovakia at 22.6%, Hungary at 32.6%, the Czech Republic at 28.5%, Romania at 24.3%, Bulgaria at 34.4%, Belgium at 21.8%, Denmark at 32.8%, Latvia at 23.1%, and Croatia at 14.8%.

Since the start of the heating season on October 13, 2025, EU countries have withdrawn more than 70 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas from storage. Net withdrawals amount to approximately 61 bcm — 6.2 bcm more than the total volume injected during the summer refill period.

By mid-February, the gas volumes injected during the summer had been fully depleted, leaving countries to rely on remaining reserves carried over from previous years.

By Sabina Mammadli