Statement following recent media reports on the gas storage filling target

In response to various media reports suggesting that the target for filling the gas storage facilities this winter is no longer achievable, we can confirm the following:

Based on the latest developments, the Netherlands will no longer achieve the previously set filling target for this winter (115 TWh) – which is approximately half of the Netherlands’ gas consumption. The filling target proposed by Gasunie Transport Services (GTS) – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gasunie – was established on the basis of the amount of gas required to cope with the harshest winter of the past 30 years. However, this does not automatically mean that there will be insufficient gas available for the coming winter or that security of supply is at risk. In practical terms, however, this situation does mean that, without additional policy measures, the Netherlands is insufficiently prepared for a scenario involving one of these harshest winters.

In the Netherlands, Gasunie continuously monitors the gas supply and the filling of gas storage facilities, and we advise the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth on these matters. In our regular consultations with the Ministry, we have previously expressed our concerns about the slow filling rate of Dutch gas storage facilities, despite the fact that EBN, as the filling agent, is carrying out its duties properly. For regular market players, it is not commercially viable this summer to fill gas storage facilities in the summer for sale in the winter.

Gasunie is monitoring developments closely and keeping the Ministry informed. A completely different geopolitical situation has emerged over the past year. We are currently assessing how we can maintain the gas supply as robustly as possible in these changed geopolitical and market conditions and prevent unnecessary pressure on the gas market and, consequently, on prices.

Ultimately, it is up to the Minister to make policy decisions based on the advice received and current developments.