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Gas storage facilities full to the brim
With around 40 gas storage facilities holding more than 24 billion cubic metres (more than 245 terawatt-hours), Germany has the largest storage volume for natural gas in the EU. The beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the cessation of Russian gas deliveries via the gas pipeline Nord Stream 1 meant that these reservoirs had to filled as quickly as possibly to prevent a gas shortage. This is because they are particularly important for the energy supply in the winter months. Gas storage facilities cover the high level of demand in cold weather and thus contribute to energy security. Since 30 April 2022, the Gas Storage Act has ensured that German gas reserves are sufficiently full at the beginning of winter.
Report draws a positive conclusion on filling levels
A report published at the start of February 2023, which assesses these gas reserve rules in line with the Energy Industry Act, draws a positive conclusion on the storage of gas. It outlines the revision of the 2022 gas reserve legislation and the cause of the change. It also cites the various legal revisions that have been made, and summarises the practical implementation and application of these provisions. Germany’s storage targets were accordingly exceeded on all cut-off dates. The storage facilities were to be filled to at least 85% by 1 October 2022; on this cut-off date, however, storage volumes were at more than 91% – on a nationwide average. For 1 November, the target was 95% but the filling level was at more than 99%. On 1 February, it was still higher than 78% (target: 40%).
Filling levels provide a good basis for next winter
Last year, the gas storage facility legislation was revised several times in Germany, so that bottlenecks in gas supply could be reliably prevented. A look back at the beginning of the winter of 2021/22 shows how necessary this revision was. At the start, filling levels were only at around 68% (as at: 1 November 2021). At the end of March 2022, the nationwide average filling level was down to around 26%. At the beginning of the winter of 2021/22, the largest German gas storage facility in Rehden was only around 9.5% full (as at: 1 November 2022) and at the end of March 2022, it was almost completely empty (filling level at less than 1%).
The gas supply in Germany is currently stable. Security of supply continues to be safeguarded. The report shows high filling levels will provide a good basis for next winter. Conserving gas and the filling of gas storage facilities in line with statutory requirements, however, is still important for the winter of 2023/2024.
Numerous packages of measures increase security of supply
2022 was a key year for the energy transition, and in addition to ensuring well-filled gas reservoirs, the Federal Government also launched numerous packages of measures aimed at safeguarding the gas market and gas supply (as reported in December Issue 11/22). New floating terminals for liquefied gas (LNG) on the German North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts further increase Germany’s energy security.
The Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) provides information on the current storage level, gas imports, the developments in prices, consumption and other indicators on the gas supply in its daily situation report.