Key facts
- Germany's gas storage sites are 57% full, below the EU average of 70%.
- VNG CEO Ulf Heitmueller stated that Germany's gas supply is robust and winter needs are covered.
- VNG has diversified its gas imports to include Norway, Azerbaijan, and Algeria.
- New agreements with Algeria's Sonatrach will provide additional gas volumes from 2027.
Germany's natural gas storage sites are currently at 57% capacity, raising concerns about supply security for the upcoming winter, especially if it proves colder than previous years. However, VNG, one of the country's largest gas importers, asserts that supply is covered due to diversified import capabilities and new supply agreements.
Ulf Heitmueller, CEO of VNG, told Reuters that the gas system is more robust compared to 2022, with increased access to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a broader range of suppliers. The company imports gas from Norway and has recently secured deals with Azerbaijan and Algeria. VNG began procuring gas from Algeria in 2024 and signed a new agreement with its state energy firm Sonatrach in July to receive additional volumes starting in 2027. Heitmüller emphasized that this diversification is crucial for meeting delivery obligations to customers, even during a cold winter and amidst challenging geopolitical and regulatory conditions.
As of September 27, gas storage sites across the EU were 70% full, with Germany's levels being lower than the average.