Massive gas storage facility nearing depletion, official reassures public: "Not a major issue"
In an unexpected turn of events, Germany's largest gas storage facility in Rehden, Lower Saxony, currently stands at a modest 2% fill level. This is primarily due to regulatory changes and shifts in the country's gas supply landscape.
Under the new Gas Storage Filling Level Ordinance (GasSpFüllstV), effective from May 6, 2025, gas storage facilities like Rehden have a reduced required fill level of only 45% by November 1, compared to 80% for other sites. This adjustment is attributed to Rehden's significantly reduced injection and withdrawal rates, its geographical location, and the fact that high fill levels are less critical or feasible for operational reasons.
One of the key factors contributing to the lower fill levels at Rehden is the strategic pivot away from Russian pipeline gas. Since 2022, Germany has dramatically decreased its reliance on pipeline gas from Russia, which formerly accounted for about 40% of supply. This shift has led to a focus on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and infrastructure development.
The increased use of LNG terminals and other diversified supply routes has improved Germany's gas supply security, lessening the immediate dependence on high storage levels as a buffer against supply disruptions. As a result, authorities have taken a more relaxed approach regarding filling levels at some storage sites.
As of late June 2025, Germany's overall gas storage facilities were about 50% full, lower than the same time last year when they were 80% full. Despite the lower storage levels, authorities do not currently anticipate supply restrictions, attributing this to the diversified supply situation and continued monitoring by the Federal Network Agency and Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The regulation allows for market-based mechanisms and strategic filling instruments to increase storage levels if necessary. If the market fails to fill storage adequately, the regulatory bodies can intervene by purchasing or mandating increased injection.
Approximately one fifth of Germany's total gas storage capacity is located in the Rehden facility. However, it is uneconomical to store gas in the Rehden storage facility due to the availability of faster and easier-to-fill facilities in the north. The federal government does not see a reason to intervene regarding the low fill level of the Rehden facility.
Trading Hub Europe (THE), responsible for the organization of the German gas market, has stated that a state-driven filling by Trading Hub Europe is not required given the overall secure supply situation. Federal Minister of Economics, Katherina Reiche (CDU), has also commented that other storage facilities have very reasonable fill levels.
The trend for gas storage fill levels is rising, and the federal government considers the wide range of offers through the expansion of LNG terminals and infrastructure as good news for supply security. However, unlike usual, gas prices for summer were partly higher than in winter, leading to low incentives to store gas.
Despite the current low fill levels, it is important to note that the fill levels of 80 and 45% for certain porous storage facilities, targeted for November 1, are still achievable this year. The federal government remains vigilant in maintaining the security of the country's gas supply.
[1] Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (2025). Gas Storage Filling Level Ordinance (GasSpFüllstV). Retrieved from [www.bmwk.de/gasstor-regelung](http://www.bmwk.de/gasstor-regelung) [2] Trading Hub Europe (2025). Gas Storage in Germany. Retrieved from [www.the-gas.com/gas-storage](http://www.the-gas.com/gas-storage) [3] Bundesregierung (2022). Germany ends reliance on Russian pipeline gas. Retrieved from [www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/nachrichten/2022/02/2022-02-08-russia-gas-einsatz-ende-1097864](http://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/nachrichten/2022/02/2022-02-08-russia-gas-einsatz-ende-1097864)
- The reduced required fill level of 45% for Rehden's gas storage facility, as stated in the Gas Storage Filling Level Ordinance, is a direct consequence of regulatory changes and the energy industry's shift towards diversified gas supply, including increased use of liquefied natural gas and LNG terminals.
- In the finance sector, the lower fill levels at Rehden are significant, as they demonstrate the strategic reallocation of investments within the energy sector, reflecting Germany's financial commitment to reducing its reliance on Russian pipeline gas and enhancing gas supply security.
