[custom-twitter-feeds feed=6]
 

Gas Infrastructure: A Pillar of Resilience for Winter Energy Security

January 28, 2025

As Europe faces the challenges of winter energy demands, the robustness of the gas infrastructure remains critical to ensuring security of supply.

Current storage levels stand at 60%[1] (compared to last year at 72%) for the EU, ensuring robust capacity to manage fluctuations and potential cold spells across the continent. Storage currently covers up to 60% of daily peak demand in EU Member States, positioning Europe strongly to meet its energy needs this winter.

This achievement marks the third consecutive year of exceptionally high storage filling levels before winter, with the 90% target reached as early as mid-August 2024—months ahead of the November 1st deadline.

Despite the end of the gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine, there have been no major gas supply disruptions. This highlights the resilience and adaptability of Europe’s interconnected energy network. Gas infrastructure – including storage facilities, LNG terminals, and an extensive pan-European pipeline system –  has swiftly adapted to alternative routes and flows, a critical capability as Europe faces colder-than-average temperatures. Recent cold spells further underscore the importance of gas infrastructure in maintaining stability during demand surges.

Looking beyond this next winter,  market price signals currently remain low, which could hamper efforts to refill storage to the 90% threshold by November as mandated by the European Security of Supply Regulation. This undervaluation of storage’s insurance component is a pressing concern that requires close monitoring as the refill period starts in April. Ongoing efforts to diversify energy sources emphasize the pivotal role of Europe’s gas infrastructure in navigating transitional times while maintaining energy stability.

Looking ahead, while current storage levels provide a strong foundation, a thorough assessment of the Security of Supply situation will take place at the end of the winter season. This evaluation will focus on the remaining storage levels relative to consumption and the overall preparedness of the network to sustain Europe’s energy resilience in the coming year.

GIE remains dedicated to fostering transparency and collaboration as we adapt to the evolving energy landscape.

 

[1] Selected Data provided by GIE Transparency Platform AGSI: https://agsi.gie.eu/

 

 

Note to editors

What are GIE Transparency Platforms

GIE’s AGSI (Aggregated Gas Storage Inventory)  and ALSI (Aggregated LNG System Inventory) Transparency Platforms have proven to be essential tools in offering transparency to the market. Acknowledged as the industry standard, these platforms are publicly accessible and provide pan-European coverage on inventory and Security of Supply reporting, free of charge. AGSI and ALSI offer daily reports directly from infrastructure operators, covering 100% of the EU27, further strengthening Europe’s energy security.

AGSI: https://agsi.gie.eu

ALSI: https://alsi.gie.eu

Who is GIE?

Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is the association representing the interests of European gas infrastructure operators active in gas transmission, gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification. GIE is a trusted partner of European institutions, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. It is based in Brussels, the heart of European policymaking. GIE currently represents 70 member companies from 26 countries. GIE’s vision is that by 2050, the gas infrastructure will be the backbone of the new innovative energy system, allowing European citizens to benefit from a secure, efficient and sustainable energy supply.

Downloads