Netherlands meets minimum plan to fill gas storage facilities by winter

The Netherlands has reached its minimum storage filling target of 64% before winter. It's reported by sb.by.

According to TASS, this indicator meets the minimum requirements of the EU for the country. Initially, the Dutch government expected to fill gas storage by 80% by winter. However, in August, when the level of reserves was 45%, the achievement of this goal was considered impossible, after which the benchmark was reduced to 64%. The storage facilities are likely to continue.

At the end of August, the Ministry of Economy and Climate Affairs asked the state energy company Energiebeheer Nederland (EBN) to help replenish reserves. Commercial energy companies usually pump gas in the summer when fuel prices are lower. However, against the background of the EU’s policy of refusing to supply Russian energy carriers and the war in the Middle East, the cost of gas rose to record levels: according to Reuters, as of October 12, European exchange prices for this type of fuel have increased since the beginning of the year by more than 150 percent. The EU’s total ban on Russian LNG imports from January 2027 will further restrict supply on the European market. In the event of a severe winter, German gas storage facilities may be completely empty by the end of January