EU reaches 90% gas storage target ahead of winter

The EU has reached its target of filling gas storage facilities to 90 per cent of capacity roughly 2½ months ahead of the November 1 deadline, according to the latest figures released on August 18 by Gas Infrastructure Europe.

Aimed at optimising EU preparation for the coming winter, the gas storage regulation of June 2022 set a binding EU target of 90 per cent filling storage facilities by November 1 each year, with interim targets for EU countries, European Commission website reports.

Gas storage is key for security of supply in Europe as it can cover up to one-third of the EU’s gas demand in winter. The figures published today show that gas storage levels have reached 1024 TWh or 90.12 per cent of storage capacity (equivalent to just over 93 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas).

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X (Twitter) that this help the EU to be safe for winter.

The EU’s gas storage has reached 90%, well ahead of schedule.

This will help us be safe this winter.

Together, we are weaning ourselves off Russian gas.

And we keep working in parallel on more diverse energy supplies for the future. #REPowerEU

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 18, 2023

"The EU’s gas storage has reached 90 per cent, well ahead of schedule. This will help us be safe this winter. Together, we are weaning ourselves off Russian gas. And we keep working in parallel on more diverse energy supplies for the future," she tweeted.