EU gas system ready for winter despite lower storage, ENTSOG says
ENTSOG's 2026-2027 Winter Supply Outlook finds the EU gas system flexible enough to meet demand, with LNG imports able to offset lower storage levels.
The story in focus
ENTSOG's 2026-2027 Winter Supply Outlook concludes the EU gas system can meet winter demand despite below-historical storage, relying on LNG import flexibility. The Gas Coordination Group reviewed the findings and the Commission outlined preparations for the end of Russian long-term LNG contracts.
- ENTSOG's Winter Supply Outlook says EU infrastructure can manage higher LNG imports to compensate for lower storage.
- The Gas Coordination Group met to assess the gas market and welcomed the outlook's presentation.
- The Commission presented REPowerEU Gas Regulation implementation ahead of Russian long-term LNG contracts ending next year.
Outlook findings
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) published its 2026-2027 Winter Supply Outlook on 8 October 2026. According to the report, EU gas infrastructure is sufficiently flexible to meet winter demand even though storage levels are below historical levels. Higher liquefied natural gas imports can compensate for the shortfall, ENTSOG found.
The outlook also stressed keeping adequate storage through the season to handle late-winter cold spells and to ease refilling next summer. How much LNG the EU imports will depend mainly on winter temperatures and their effect on gas demand, and the choice between importing LNG or withdrawing storage gas rests with the market, the report noted.
Policy context
The Gas Coordination Group met the same day to take stock of the gas market and welcomed ENTSOG's presentation. The Commission presented implementation of the REPowerEU Gas Regulation, focusing on preparations for the end of Russian long-term LNG contracts from the start of next year.
The Commission said the EU is better prepared than in winter 2021-2022, citing increased supply diversification, higher LNG import capacity and reduced gas demand. It will continue monitoring storage, supply and prices through the winter with EU countries and market participants.
What does the winter outlook say about storage levels?
Storage is below historical levels, but ENTSOG finds the EU system flexible enough to meet demand through higher LNG imports, while stressing adequate storage through the season for late cold spells and summer refilling.
Sources & further reading
- EU gas system prepared for the winter despite lower storage levels ↗energy.ec.europa.eu
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