Brussels: The capacity rate of underground gas storage facilities in the European Union countries has dropped below 45%, APA-Economics reports, citing Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE).
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the capacity level of storage facilities in EU countries is currently at 44.61%, which marks a significant decrease of 9.23 percentage points compared to the average for this date over the past five years. This decline highlights the challenges faced by the region as it navigates the demands of the current heating season.
It is noted that since the start of the heating season, which began on October 29, 2024, EU countries have extracted over 59 billion cubic meters (bcm) from underground gas storage (UGS) facilities. This substantial withdrawal reflects the increased energy consumption during the colder months.
Currently, the total volume of gas in these storage facilities is approximately 49.5 billion cubic meters. This figure underscores the urgency for EU countries to manage their energy resources efficiently to ensure adequate supply and stability throughout the winter season.
Notably, since December 31, 2020, Azerbaijan has been transporting its gas to Europe through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), contributing to the diversification of energy sources for European countries.