STORAGE
FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION

CORNERSTONE OF
AN AFFORDABLE ENERGY SYSTEM

GUARANTEE FOR
A SAFE ENERGY SUPPLY

Gas Storage - Bridging Energy Transition
and Energy Security

Gas storage contributes to a large extent to the success of the energy transition in Germany and Europe. Gas storage guarantees a secure gas supply, functions as a cornerstone of an affordable energy system, and provides a storage solution for renewable energy in the future. INES is the association of gas storage system operators in Germany. INES’ members represent over 90 per cent of German gas storage capacities and account for more than 20 per cent of gas storage capacities in the European Union.

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News

INES Gas Scenarios: Low Gas Storage Levels Put Security of Supply at Risk During Extreme Cold

Berlin, 10 November 2026

Germany entered the 2026/27 heating season with historically low gas storage levels. As of 1 November, storage facilities were only 61% full, falling nine percentage points short of the statutory filling target of 70%. The November scenarios published today by…

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Gas Storage Filling Targets Missed: INES Sees Need for Action on Winter Preparedness

Berlin, 1 November 2026

The statutory filling targets for German gas storage facilities have not been met across the board by today's deadline. The German Energy Storage Initiative (INES) sees this as a clear signal that the instruments for ensuring winter preparedness need to…

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INES Gas Scenarios: Historically Low Storage Levels – Window for Sufficient Refill Is Closing

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INES-Gas-Scenarios: Market Conditions Jeopardize Gas Storage Refilling – Additional Incentives Needed to Safeguard Winter Security of Supply

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Policies and Objectives

Storage for Europe's
Energy Future

Gas storage plays a decisive role in a carbon-neutral energy supply. The Power-to-Gas technology allows electricity from renewable sources to be converted into green gases and then be stored in gas storage facilities for longer periods of time. Thus, gas storage provides a means for renewable energies to be available at all times - on short notice and as flexibly as necessary.

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Security of Supply:
Today and Tomorrow

Gas storage is a cornerstone of the energy infrastructure in Europe. When demand peaks on cold winter days, up to 60 per cent of Germany's gas supply is provided by gas storage facilities. Looking at future storage needs for renewable energies, however, gas storage will also be a necessary pillar of a secure energy system in the future.

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Affordable Energy for Germany and Europe

Gas storage meets gas demands flexibly and locally. It thereby reduces the necessity to invest excessively in new transport infrastructure in the gas as well as the electricity sector. Hence, gas storage reduces the costs of the energy system and plays a vital role in securing an affordable energy transition throughout the future.

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Members