Germany enters November with gas storage near a record low

Germany’s gas stores were about 61% full at the end of October, their lowest level for this point in the year and well below the statutory 80% target for 1 November. Federal network-agency data showed the system near 61.6%, while industry group INES said the refill window had closed with inventories insufficient for a colder-than-normal winter.

INES estimated that roughly 77% would have been adequate for an average winter and called for binding measures, such as supplier obligations, before future heating seasons. Reuters reported that the group considers current market incentives too weak to guarantee summer refilling. The figures measure stored volume, not the whole supply system: Germany also receives pipeline gas, imports liquefied natural gas and can draw on an integrated European network.

The government said it did not expect a shortage, citing diversified imports and structurally lower demand since the energy crisis. That judgment and the industry warning are not mutually exclusive: supply may remain adequate in normal conditions while a prolonged cold spell leaves less margin. The practical test is the pace of winter withdrawals, continued import availability and whether Berlin changes rules before the next refill season.