Will Germany have enough gas this winter?
Germany's gas storage sites are far less full than in recent years. Officials say supplies are secure, but analysts warn that a cold winter or import disruptions could push prices higher. So how secure is the supply?
As of mid-September 2026, Germany had stored around 141 terawatt-hours of gas, which is approximately 57% of its total storage capacity. According to the Federal Network Agency, a significant amount of gas, about 134 terawatt-hours, was withdrawn from storage during the previous winter. Although the figures may seem reassuring, especially considering the cold conditions last winter, German gas storage levels are currently low.
Bavarian Premier Markus Söder called for federal intervention, but opposition parties accused the economy minister of negligence. Gas storage facilities are not full, and opposition leader Britta Hasselmann of the Green Party warned of potential shortages. While various factors need to be considered, such as imports and supply diversification, Germany is no longer as dependent on Russia as it was in 2022.
Most experts interviewed by DW are not concerned about the winter gas supply, citing secure contracts and storage capacity. However, there are concerns that if the winter turns out to be cold or there are disruptions in imports, prices could rise quickly. The German economy ministry maintains that prices are higher than spot market prices, and storage facilities are not fully filled due to the lack of economic viability.
The Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is closely monitoring developments but sees no signs of a supply shortage.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
