Germany must do more to boost gas reserves as storage levels hit record low, lobby group says

Germany’s gas reserves were at 61.35% on October 30, missing the country’s 80% level for November 1, Business Recorder reported. The shortfall comes ahead of winter and leaves stocks at a record low, although Berlin has said it does not expect supply bottlenecks.

The gas storage association INES urged the government to strengthen how storage sites are filled and consider requiring suppliers to maintain reserves. Its managing director, Sebastian Heinermann, said the missed target showed that future winter supplies need firmer safeguards. INES and grid operator group FNB Gas have prepared a report to inform policy discussions. The association cited the Iran war and its effect on prices as the main reason summer storage injections were uneconomical; Germany has also rejected Italy’s accusation that it deliberately left stores underfilled.