Stocks could run out before the heating season ends if withdrawals continue at the current pace, analysts warn
Gas storage levels in Germany have hit a historic low for this time of year due to rapid depletion amid a cold snap, ZDF reported over the weekend, citing industry experts. They warned that stocks could run out before the heating season ends if withdrawals continue at the current pace.
According to the report, gas levels at the country’s underground storage facilities are now far lower than at the beginning of 2025 – around 50% compared to around 77% 12 months ago. Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) data shows levels have dropped by around 13% over the past four weeks.
If depletion continues at the same rate, storages could be just 5% full by March, Stefan Dohler of Oldenburg-based supplier EWE told the outlet.
“I don’t want to sound the alarm, but I want to point out that the current fill-level situation is as bad as it was at the beginning of 2022,” he warned, referring to one of the lowest points in German energy reserve history, when storage levels were critically low.
Industry experts attribute the rapid withdrawals to colder-than-normal weather that arrived in late December, driving heating demand above typical January levels.
“With a current fill level of less than 52%, gas storage levels are at a historic low,” Sebastian Heinermann, Energy Storage Initiative’s managing director, told the outlet. Timm Kehler, a board member of the Association of Gas and Hydrogen Industry, echoed the warning, saying “gas storage levels are significantly below the long-term average.”
While Germany has grown more reliant on costlier LNG imports via sea terminals, experts warn they can only cover around 16% of demand from November to March. Dohler called for stronger government action, including a national gas reserve, to secure the supplies.
Russian energy giant Gazprom earlier noted that storage withdrawals this season are proceeding faster than usual across the entire EU. Last week, it warned that the bloc could face shortages as storage levels fell below 60%.
The EU has sharply cut Russian energy imports, once around 40% of its consumption, after imposing sanctions over the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Germany was among the most dependent, with Russia previously supplying 55% of its gas.
Moscow has condemned the EU’s energy sanctions, arguing that the bloc is sacrificing energy security and industrial competitiveness for political aims.
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