European gas storage injections surpass 25 bcm since start of summer

European underground gas storage facilities have seen net injections exceed 25 billion cubic meters (bcm) since the beginning of the summer season, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE). 

This marks a significant step toward the 61 billion cubic meters required to reach 90 per cent capacity ahead of the winter period, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

On June 24 alone, EU countries injected 376 million cubic meters of gas into storage, while withdrawals stood at 35 million cubic meters. Despite the steady inflows, total gas in storage currently stands at 62.4 bcm—placing it as the sixth-highest level for June on record, but still 25 per cent below the same time last year.

Storage facilities across the bloc are now 56.9 per cent full, lagging 9.57 percentage points behind the five-year average and well below the 75.7 per cent capacity seen in late June 2024.

Meanwhile, liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports are expected to surge in June, potentially nearing historic highs as Europe compensates for slower storage growth. Warmer weather is forecast to sweep across the continent this week, which may reduce short-term heating demand but also increase energy consumption due to cooling needs.

Wind power has continued to contribute an average of 15 per cent to the EU’s electricity generation in both May and June. Gas prices have also edged upward, with the average purchase price rising from $412 per thousand cubic meters in May to approximately $442 in June.

By Sabina Mammadli