Gas Infrastructure: A Pillar of Resilience for Winter Energy Security

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Gas Infrastructure: A Pillar of Resilience for Winter Energy Security

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Gas pipelines going to Europe (© Shutterstock/Gregory Stein)
Gas pipelines going to Europe (© Shutterstock/Gregory Stein)

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.