Germany's gas storage facilities could be empty by the end of January amid a harsh winter

BERLIN, September 8 - RIA Novosti. In the event of a severe winter, German gas storage facilities could be completely empty by the end of January, which will lead to a fuel shortage for both industry and the German population, the newspaper Handelsblatt reports, citing the gas storage association INES.

The current filling level of gas storage facilities in Germany has dropped to a record low in the last 15 years - at 53%. Experts state that technically it will be possible to fill them up to a maximum of 77% by November 1.

“At normal temperatures, the level of gas storage facilities would have dropped to only 38% by April 1. However, in the event of a very cold winter, as in 2010, the storage facilities would have been empty by the end of January. Under such a scenario, on some days the gas shortage could exceed 25%, that is, there is physically not enough fuel for all consumers,” the publication says.

Bloomberg reported on Monday that the German government is in talks with state-owned energy companies to replenish gas reserves, trying to avoid direct market intervention that could cause price shocks.