The Belgian gas network operator Fluxys has filled the underground gas storage in Loenhout with 7.745 terawatt-hours (TWh) of natural gas, reaching 92.1 percent capacity, according to the Gas Infrastructure Europe database. Portugal is the only country with a fully filled gas reserve. As of Tuesday morning at 6 AM, the EU’s overall gas reserves are 72.3 percent full, totaling 820.48 TWh.
Many EU nations possess greater storage capacity than Belgium, resulting in longer fill times. Germany, with nearly 250 TWh of storage capacity, has its reserves at 65 percent. Other countries with notable storage levels include Italy (83.6 percent), the Netherlands (60.8 percent), France (80.8 percent), and Austria (77.4 percent).
Since 2022, EU member states are required to fill their gas reserves to at least 90 percent by November 1 annually. This mandate was established to ensure adequate buffers following the supply challenges prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gas storage facilities account for about 30 percent of winter consumption.
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