Germany Will See No Gas Shortage This Winter, Next Winter Requires High LNG Imports

German gas storage operators group INES sees no shortage of gas this winter, while Germany requires LNG imports to continue at high levels to refill storages for next winter, it said.

• "We'll get through this winter. January did not show cold temperatures and was characterized by ongoing savings in consumption," managing director of INES, Sebastian Bleschke, said.
• German gas consumption in January stood at 3.3TWh, INES data showed.
• The refilling of stocks ahead of winter 2023/24 would require LNG to continue at high levels, which had come into play after pipeline exports from Russia dried up, according to INES.
• The group will detail winter 2023/24 supply in its April report.
• Germany is due to take online six floating LNG terminals spread over four sites by the end of 2023, while also importing more gas via Belgium, France and directly from North Sea producers.