European underground natural gas storage levels fell below 43% of net maximum capacity as of 18 February 2025, with reserves in France and Croatia dropping below 25%, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe, a Brussels-based industry association. In Germany, where industry relies heavily on gas for electricity and energy production, reserves fell below 40%. Despite the decline, the European Commission assured Paperjam that gas security remains strong, attributing recent price increases to seasonal demand and ongoing infrastructure maintenance.

“The EU’s gas security of supply remains strong,” a commission spokesperson stated on Wednesday evening. “Recent price increases are mainly due to a colder winter than previous years, and some repair and maintenance works. But there is no risk for security of supply.”

The commission emphasised that gas storage levels, which are currently around 43%, remain within the five-year average. It also pointed to a continued decline in gas demand across the EU, which remains lower than before the energy crisis. “Our supplies are well diversified,” the spokesperson added, reaffirming the stability of Europe’s energy network.

In response to potential impact of lower storage levels on energy-intensive industries, the commission has insisted that it is closely monitoring the situation. “The commission monitors the situation closely and stays in touch with key actors on a permanent basis,” the spokesperson said. The EU has also stressed that storage refilling ahead of the next winter season will need to be “coordinated and flexible to adapt to market circumstances.”

While natural gas prices are significantly lower than during the peak of the 2022 energy crisis, they remain higher than pre-crisis levels. The commission acknowledged that these elevated prices continue to put European industry at a disadvantage. “Industry indeed pays more for its energy than competitors in the US or in China. This is a problem for the competitiveness of the European economy,” the spokesperson noted.

In response, the commission has pledged urgent action to address both short-term price pressures and longer-term structural challenges in the energy market. “The EU is fully aware that this requires immediate action and structural change. We need to act and will do so,” the spokesperson stated. “Next week the commission will present the Clean Industrial Deal and the Affordable Energy Action Plan that propose action that can have an impact on prices in the short term, bringing relief to consumers, as well as the structural issues to lower energy prices for our industry.”

Luxembourg does not have any underground gas storage facilities and relies on neighbouring countries to source its supplies.