The filling level of EU storage facilities with gas exceeded 80%

BRUSSELS, Aug 30 – PRIME. The level of filling the storage facilities of the EU countries with “blue fuel” has crossed the mark of 80%, according to the latest data from the Association of Gas Infrastructure Operators of Europe (GIE) as of August 29.

The overall EU figure was 80.17%, according to the association’s website. Earlier on Tuesday, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the European Union’s average filling level of gas storage facilities at 80% had been reached.

A year earlier, it was at about 67%, in 2020 and 2019 – around 91%, in 2018 – about 73%, in 2017 – about 76%.

In total, 18 out of 27 states in the European Union have gas storage tanks. Not all of them have reached the 80% target yet, according to the GIE.

The European Commission stated that it is important for the EU to be prepared for possible interruptions in gas supplies from Russia and to have enough reserves of “blue fuel” before the new heating season. In early March, the EC presented a bill on gas reserves, which was adopted in June. Under these new rules, the countries of the union must fill their storage facilities with “blue fuel” by at least 80% by November 1, 2022, and in subsequent years – by 90%. At the same time, for the current year, states were recommended to strive for 85%.

Gas storages usually provide 25-30% of the “blue fuel” consumed in Europe in winter, the European Commission reported in summer.