Germany’s natural gas storage facilities have fallen sharply amid one of the coldest winters in recent years, prompting opposition calls for urgent measures to prevent potential energy shortages. As of February 1, 2026, storage levels stood at just 32.9% capacity, down from 56.4% at the same point last year and around 57% in late December 2025, as households and businesses increased heating use.
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, however, sought to reassure the public, stressing that Germany monitors the situation daily and has the capacity to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from overseas. Since cutting off Russian gas imports after the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, Germany has relied on LNG from the US and pipeline supplies from Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium, though at higher costs. Reiche expressed confidence that Germany would manage winter demand without crisis.
