Gas Storage: 60 Million Euro Buffer for Gas System - Germany spends €100M to avert winter gas crisis amid record-low storage
Germany has spent over €100 million on emergency energy measures this winter to stabilise gas supplies. The move comes as gas storage levels drop below 20%, far lower than usual for this time of year. Authorities have taken action to avoid shortages by securing extra balancing energy.
Trading Hub Europe (THE) launched a special tender in mid-February to buy additional balancing energy. The contract covers 21,300 megawatts for late February and 15,000 megawatts for early March. These reserves will only be used if market prices spike, with THE paying standard rates if activated.
The cost of reserving this energy reached around €60 million, lower than early estimates that suggested a nine-figure bill. However, the tender price was still higher than in previous long-term auctions. Economic Affairs Minister Katharina Reiche had decided last summer to rely on market forces alone for storage filling, a shift from earlier mandatory targets.
By March 10–11, Germany's gas storage stood at roughly 21.5–21.6%, well below the 40% typically seen at this time in past years. Reduced LNG imports—now around 200 gigawatts per day, down from 300–500 gigawatts—have worsened the shortfall. New storage rules introduced in 2025 also lowered filling requirements, cutting targets to 80% for salt caverns and 45% for pore storage.
Reiche has repeatedly stated that the market can ensure supply security without intervention. Yet the current crisis has forced additional spending to prevent potential disruptions.
Germany's emergency measures have pushed total winter energy costs past €100 million. The reserves remain untapped for now, but the low storage levels highlight ongoing risks. If called upon, the balancing energy will help stabilise supplies at market rates.
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