Germany's Gas Storage Sites at Record Low Ahead of Winter
German natural gas storage sites are at only 57% capacity ahead of winter, significantly below the European average and a historic low for late September. This has raised concerns about energy security in Europe's largest economy.
However, Ulf Heitmueller, CEO of German gas importer VNG, says that Germany is better equipped to handle this winter than it was during the 2022 energy crisis. 'Compared to 2022, the system is much more robust overall. We have more access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and we have broadened our overall position in terms of sources of supply,' he explained.
VNG procured 409 terawatt hours (TWh) of gas in 2025, making it one of Germany's largest importers. The company receives pipeline gas from Norway and has secured contracts for deliveries from Algeria and Azerbaijan, suppliers that have gained importance for Europe since Russian pipeline deliveries collapsed after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Heitmueller emphasized that while gas storage is important for ensuring security of supply, it is not the only decisive factor. He noted that additional import losses, a global energy market shortage or infrastructure disruptions could still lead to price spikes this winter.