Brussels: Belgium has successfully met the European Union's target for winter gas reserves, with current storage levels at 92.1% capacity.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Aggregated Gas Storage Inventory (AGSI) data reveals that Belgium, alongside Portugal, is among the first EU countries to achieve this milestone ahead of the upcoming winter season.
The Gas Infrastructure Europe database indicates that the Belgian gas network operator Fluxys has filled the underground gas storage facility in Loenhout with 7.745 terawatt-hours (TWh) of natural gas. This accomplishment places Belgium's reserves at 92.1% full, second only to Portugal, which has completely filled its gas reserves. The overall gas reserves across the EU stand at 72.3%, equating to 820.48 TWh, according to the latest figures.
The report highlights that while Belgium has met its target, other EU countries possess larger storage capacities, which inherently require more time to fill. Germany, with the largest storage capacity of nearly 250 TWh, currently has reserves at 65% capacity. Italy (83.6%), the Netherlands (60.8%), France (80.8%), and Austria (77.4%) also have considerable storage capacities and are in various stages of meeting the EU's storage objectives.
The EU mandate, established in 2022, requires member states to fill their gas reserves to at least 90% by November 1 annually. This initiative was introduced to bolster energy security following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which resulted in significant supply disruptions. Gas storage facilities are crucial for covering approximately 30% of the EU's winter gas consumption needs.