The Dutch government has lowered its target for filling gas storage facilities ahead of winter to 64% of capacity, from a previous target of 74%, with the goal to be reached between October 1 and December 1, 2026, in a move aimed at easing seasonal demand and upward pressure on wholesale prices amid global supply disruptions.
Target enough for an average winter
The Dutch Ministry of Climate and Green Growth said the revised target is equivalent to about 93 terawatt-hours of gas and described it as “more than sufficient” to meet the needs of an average winter, compared with average withdrawals of about 70 terawatt-hours over the past five winters.
The new target is 10 percentage points below the previous level, following a call by the European Commission in March 2026 to countries with storage facilities to avoid driving wholesale gas prices higher amid supply disruptions.
Dutch gas storage facilities are currently about 52% full, the lowest level recorded for this time of year, according to a spokesperson for Dutch gas network operator Gasunie. European traders struggled to refill storage facilities over the summer after the conflict in the Middle East reduced global supplies and pushed up prices, making gas storage less economically viable for many market participants.
Warning over cold-winter risks
Gasunie warned that the lower target would leave the Netherlands less prepared for the possibility of a severe winter, which could increase withdrawal rates and the country’s need for spot imports in a global market facing a shortage of liquefied natural gas supplies.
The ministry said security of supply also depends on domestic production, pipeline imports and liquefied natural gas, noting that the country’s gas consumption is now about 25% below its levels during the 2022 energy crisis and that LNG import facilities allow supply routes to be diversified.
European Union rules require member states to fill their storage facilities to 90%, but exemptions applying to the Netherlands lowered its previous target to 74%, before it was cut to 64% under the flexibility granted to countries facing exceptional market conditions.
The European Union extended its gas storage rules through the end of 2027, allowing the target to be reached between October and December rather than by a single deadline, to prevent market participants from rushing to buy at the same time and driving prices higher, according to the European Commission.
European gas falls 1.9%
The European benchmark gas price fell about 1.9% to around 80.45 euros, equivalent to 93.26 dollars, per megawatt-hour at the time of publication, but remained near its highest level since December 2022, according to market data.
Despite the daily decline, prices rose more than 11% over the week, recording their fifth consecutive weekly gain, and increased about 32% over the month, as European storage levels fell to about 67% and some Gulf LNG exports remained disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Netherlands is home to the TTF hub, Europe’s main benchmark for gas prices. Its contracts are used to price supplies and hedge against their volatility across the continent, giving the Dutch storage decision significance beyond the size of the country’s own consumption.
