German gas storage facilities are currently filled to about half capacity, which is less than the levels observed toward the end of last summer. According to a survey by Forsa commissioned by Stern and RTL, 44 percent of Germans fear potential gas supply problems for households and businesses during the upcoming winter. While 53 percent expressed no fear of shortages, seven percent provided no answer.
Residents in Eastern Germany are more likely to anticipate gas supply issues compared to those in Western Germany. While supporters of the Union, SPD, and Green Party predominantly do not expect supply bottlenecks this winter, a clear majority of AfD sympathizers do. Supporters of The Left are divided on this issue.
Typically, traders purchase gas affordably in the summer, store it, and sell it at a higher price during the winter. However, fewer volumes were stored in recent months compared to previous years because the price of gas increased due to the conflict in Iran. Theoretically, storage facilities must be filled to up to 80 percent by November 1st. These legal requirements were introduced following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and the tightening of gas supply. This metric is based on estimates of how much gas will be consumed during a relatively cold winter.
