Germany could face a gas shortage in winter during severe frosts, INES warns

Berlin, 12 October (CTK correspondent) – German gas storage facilities are almost full, yet Germany could face a shortage of the energy commodity this coming winter if temperatures fall extremely low. Sebastian Heinermann, head of the German association of gas and hydrogen storage operators INES, said at a press conference today that Germany needs to bring additional terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) into operation. He also described household energy savings as crucial, since households account for a large share of consumption during severe frosts.

„If we fail to open additional floating LNG terminals before winter, the forecast gas shortage in extremely low temperatures can be avoided only through further energy-saving measures,“ Heinermann said.

He warned that any gas shortage would lead to prices rising again on the exchange and to restrictions on consumption in industry and gas-fired power generation.

Heinermann sees households as having significant potential to save energy during severe frosts. „At very low temperatures, heating homes and businesses accounts for a substantial share of gas consumption. In extremely low temperatures, additional energy-saving measures could make a significant difference, particularly among this group of customers.“

Germany’s Energy Security Act requires gas storage facilities to be 95 percent full by 1 November. Germany met this threshold at the end of September, and according to the latest figures, storage levels have exceeded 97 percent. The law also stipulates that at least 40 percent of reserves must remain by 1 February. According to INES, meeting this requirement could be a challenge this coming winter even under normal temperatures. If extreme frosts hit, storage facilities could be completely depleted around the turn of January and February.

To replace the gas supplies from Russia on which it had depended, Germany began building liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. So far, two state-commissioned facilities have been brought into operation, in Wilhelmshaven in Lower Saxony and in Brunsbüttel in Schleswig-Holstein. A commercial terminal has also been built in Lubmin, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

A state-funded LNG terminal near the German island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea is expected to start operating early next year. The Czech Republic, which is connected to the region by infrastructure, is interested in the Baltic terminal, whose necessity is questioned by environmentalists and local communities.