Netherlands Fails to Meet Natural Gas Storage Target Ahead of Winter
The Netherlands is facing a natural gas storage shortfall ahead of the winter season. According to Gasunie, the Dutch gas network operator, the country will not meet its target of 115 terawatt-hours (TWh) of gas in storage. This is equivalent to roughly half of Dutch annual consumption.
Gasunie reported that missing this benchmark does not automatically imply a shortage of gas for the upcoming winter or an immediate threat to supply security. However, the operator acknowledged that without additional policy measures, the Netherlands would be inadequately prepared for a scenario involving one of the harshest winters on record.
Across Europe, storage inventories are at their lowest level in 17 years, and available supply for purchase is tighter than before the 2022/2023 winter. EU gas storage levels currently stand at 63% full, below the five-year average of 80% and lower than the nearly 76% recorded at the same time last year.