Overview

• Germany’s largest gas storage facility in Rehden is nearly empty at around 2%, but Economy Minister Katherina Reiche says the low level is no cause for alarm.
• National gas reserves stand at about 50% capacity and are rising as summer injections accelerate in preparation for higher demand.
• Expanded LNG terminals and faster-filling northern cavern storage have created market liquidity that makes refilling Rehden uneconomical and unnecessary.
• A colder winter and an unusual price inversion, with summer gas prices exceeding winter rates, reduced early incentives to replenish stores.
• Officials say the current injection rate and diversified LNG imports will ensure compliance with the EU’s 80% storage requirement by November without state-led mandates.