Overview
- National storage hovered around 53% in early January, the lowest early‑January level since GIE records began, and is edging toward 50% during the prolonged cold spell.
- The Bundesnetzagentur reports no current gas shortage and cites available LNG capacity and high Norwegian pipeline flows as key supports.
- Market analysts warn that a major Norwegian outage or offshore pipeline failure could still create bottlenecks despite the option to increase LNG imports.
- LNG supplied about 10.3% of Germany’s 2025 gas imports, with Mukran leading recent injections, Brunsbüttel returning from maintenance, a second unit online in Wilhelmshaven, and the Stade project pushed to at least the second quarter of 2026.
- EWE chief Stefan Dohler proposes a national strategic gas reserve as storage draws down, alongside existing rules that require at least 30% nationwide and 40% at four Bavarian sites by February 1.