(de-news.net) – There is no risk of a gas shortage in Germany this winter, according to consistent assessments by both the Federal Network Agency and the federal government. In a written response to a parliamentary inquiry, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs affirmed that gas supply security remains assured even under conditions of persistently low temperatures, a position that has been reported by national media outlets. The assessment reflects a broader institutional consensus that the existing supply framework is sufficient to manage seasonal demand.
At the same time, gas storage levels were comparatively low in late January, falling below 40 percent. Despite this, the ministry emphasized that global markets continue to offer adequate supplies of liquefied natural gas, even as weather-related demand has increased. While LNG imports into Asia have risen in recent weeks, overall global supply is still expanding, driven in particular by growing export volumes from the United States. Against this backdrop, gas prices remained at relatively moderate levels until the beginning of the year, before increasing recently to around 39 euros per megawatt hour. According to the ministry, this price movement can be attributed partly to colder-than-average weather forecasts in parts of Europe and Asia and partly to heightened speculative activity on financial markets. Even with this uptick, prices remain well below the levels recorded during the winter of 2024–2025.
Support through expanded LNG infrastructure, structural market shifts
The Federal Network Agency has similarly sought to reassure the public regarding the stability of supply conditions. However, Michael Kellner of the Green Party cautioned that low storage levels could lead to higher import costs for LNG. From his perspective, existing regulatory arrangements have contributed to Germany’s exposure to expensive spot market purchases, suggesting that adjustments to the current rules would be necessary to prevent a recurrence of such vulnerabilities.
Earlier in January, despite cold weather conditions, the regulator had already described the gas supply situation as stable. Storage levels at that point stood at just over 50 percent, which was below the level recorded a year earlier but was nevertheless assessed as appropriate in light of altered market structures and revised gas flow patterns. Gas consumption in 2025 rose slightly year on year to 864 terawatt hours, yet it remained well below the average consumption levels observed between 2018 and 2021. Approximately two fifths of total demand was attributable to households and small businesses, while the remaining share was consumed by industrial users.
On the supply side, imports increased markedly to just over 1,000 terawatt hours, with Norway maintaining its position as Germany’s most important supplier, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium. The regulator highlighted that roughly 10 percent of total imports entered the country through LNG terminals, interpreting this as evidence that investments made in recent years have enhanced flexibility and resilience within the supply system. Gas exports also rose sharply, largely to neighboring European countries. In addition, regulatory storage targets for November were met across all facilities, and aggregate filling levels were assessed as sufficient under both national regulations and European requirements.
