In its report on security of supply for the summer of 2025, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) said on Thursday 10 April that it was essential to start replenishing the EU’s gas stocks as soon as possible, due to heavy use during the winter of 2024-2025.
The report points out that EU gas stocks were 34% full at 1 April 2025, a lower figure than in the previous two years (see EUROPE 13576/21). So, to replenish its stocks for next winter, Europe will need a larger volume of liquefied natural gas (LNG) than in previous summers.
ENTSOG also warns that any unplanned maintenance operation is likely to put additional pressure on the replenishment season.
This report, which assesses injection capacities and the possible evolution of demand, supply and exports from 1 April to 30 September 2025, explores several supply scenarios, including one in which Russian gas imports are reduced to a minimum, and one in which supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are low.
“It is critical to start injecting gas as early as possible and monitor filling throughout the summer season and keep storage at an adequate level until the end of the winter. The continued supply of LNG is also essential, to avoid demand curtailment in certain situations”, explained Piotr Kuś, managing director of ENTSOG.
In a general analysis for the winter of 2025/2026, ENTSOG shows that current conditions, combined with import flexibility, are sufficient to cover demand and achieve the target of stocks above 30% at the end of the winter in all EU countries. The network points out, however, that these assessments are not forecasts of gas supply, which is in reality influenced by factors other than infrastructure preparation, such as political and market decisions.
The European Commission welcomed the ENTSOG report in a press release, pointing out that on 5 March it had proposed a 2-year extension of the gas storage regulation (see EUROPE 13593/11), for which negotiations between the European Parliament and the EU Council are due to begin shortly (see other news).
To see the report: https://aeur.eu/f/gdt (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)