BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Gas storage operators are confident that the storage facilities can be filled to 100 percent again this year. "It is possible to completely fill the gas storage facilities again before the coming winter of 2024/2025," the industry association Ines reported in Berlin on Thursday. In the current winter, a fill level of 100 percent was reached on November 5, 2023.

On Wednesday morning, natural gas storage facilities in Germany were almost 74% full. Despite the cold spell in January, the filling level is therefore above the historical average, the association continued. The statutory filling level target of 40 percent as of February 1 had been exceeded. The association no longer expects the gas storage facilities to be emptied extensively this winter, even in extremely cold temperatures.

Ines Managing Director Sebastian Heinermann emphasized the importance of the storage facilities for the gas supply. "During the cold spell in January, more than half of the gas required in Germany was supplied from storage facilities," he said according to the press release./tob/DP/jha