Gas prices are expected to peak this coming winter, gas network operator Gasunie has warned, as the Netherlands falls well short of its storage target with the heating season approaching.
National gas storage stood at around 45 percent full in late August, against a government target of 80 percent by 1 November and an EU minimum of 74 percent. A year earlier storage was at about 63 percent, and in 2023 it reached 94 percent by the same point in the season.
Gasunie says the shortfall comes down to price, not supply: summer gas prices have been as high as, or higher than, expected winter prices, so traders have little financial incentive to buy and store gas over summer for resale later. Prices have also been pushed up by tension around Iran.
State-owned energy company EBN has been filling storage on the government’s behalf since April at three sites, Bergermeer, Norg and Grijpskerk, though progress is running behind schedule.
Rene Peters, an energy expert at research institute TNO, told broadcaster NOS he is not extremely worried under normal conditions, but that the risk lies in several problems happening at once.
A Gasunie spokesperson said there is no shortage of gas available for winter, but that without further policy the Netherlands is not well prepared for an extreme winter scenario.
Coverage has focused on price volatility rather than a physical shortage: no outlet gave a firm bill forecast for this winter, though energy comparison sites are advising households on expiring, variable or dynamic contracts to compare offers and consider locking in a fixed-rate deal before October.
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