Netherlands Says It Will Miss Its Winter Gas Storage Target

Dutch gas network operator Gasunie said on Wednesday, 4 Shahrivar 1405 (August 26, 2026), that the Netherlands will not meet its target of storing 115 terawatt hours of natural gas ahead of winter. According to Oilprice.com, the target, roughly half the country's annual gas consumption, had been set based on the harshest winter the Netherlands has seen in 30 years.

Gasunie said the shortfall does not necessarily mean the country's gas supply is at risk, but that without further policy action the Netherlands will be insufficiently prepared for a severe winter scenario. EU gas storage currently stands at 63 percent of capacity, below the five year average of 80 percent and below the roughly 76 percent level seen at this time last year. Oilprice.com said part of the shortfall is linked to a sharp drop in Qatari LNG exports caused by the Strait of Hormuz crisis.