Germany says it may not fill gas storage to 80%

The German Federal Association of Energy and Water Companies (BDEW) believes the target of 70–80% storage fill by early November is becoming increasingly unattainable.

"80% is a huge figure, especially since we are currently at 50%. At some point, it will become physically impossible," said BDEW head Kerstin Andreae.

Even the reduced target of 70% remains extremely challenging. The window of opportunity is rapidly narrowing.

Andreae cited a breakdown of market mechanisms as one reason for the slow filling: normally, traders buy cheap gas in summer and inject it into storage to sell at higher prices in winter. This mechanism is currently not working.