Dutch Energy Minister Stientje van Veldhoven announced on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, that national gas reserves currently hold half the volume needed for a normal winter. During the weekly parliamentary question hour, she assured the House of Representatives that the government continues to replenish these stocks steadily.
Meeting winter demand
The minister’s statement follows a warning from Gasunie last week regarding low storage levels. However, Van Veldhoven maintains that the state-owned energy company EBN remains on schedule with its filling operations.
“I have confidence in the process,” the minister stated, urging Members of Parliament not to spread unnecessary panic. She emphasized that her focus remains on what the country truly needs to survive the upcoming winter season while remaining alert to any changes in supply.
Diversifying supply chains
Typically, market parties hold the responsibility for filling gas storage facilities. Van Veldhoven is currently urging these commercial players to increase the winter buffer even further to prepare for a potentially severe winter.
The Netherlands does not rely solely on stored reserves during the colder months. Consumers and businesses receive a continuous supply of gas through pipelines, primarily from Norway. Additionally, the country imports liquefied natural gas (LNG) from sources like the United States to maintain a steady flow.
European storage targets
Gas storage levels currently stand at 22.2 percent. The official filling season began in April, and the government aims to reach a much higher capacity before temperatures drop. Under European Union guidelines, the Netherlands must strive to fill its storage facilities to approximately 80 percent before the start of the winter season.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
