Gas storage misses the 80 per cent target for 1 November: Bundesnetzagentur calls supply stable

How full is gas storage five days before the deadline?

In its situation assessment of 26 October 2026, the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) reports a storage level of 61.1 per cent, equivalent to 151.1 terawatt hours. German facilities will therefore clearly miss the standard target of 80 per cent that applies on 1 November; according to market data, more than 35 terawatt hours are missing compared with the previous year. The agency nonetheless rates supply as stable and states explicitly that reaching the November fill-level targets is not essential for secure supply. The early-warning stage of the gas emergency plan has applied since 1 July 2025; the alarm stage has been lifted. What a kilowatt hour of heat from gas costs compared with oil, district heating and a heat pump is set out in the guide to heat costs per kilowatt hour.

Who feels the low storage level in their wallet

The supply question concerns all gas customers; the price question mainly hits those who pre-finance heat: owners and landlords of apartment buildings with central gas heating, housing companies, hotels and commercial businesses that buy gas. The wholesale price was above 90 euros per megawatt hour this trading week, and a cold February would drain the already low stores further. Anyone on a variable tariff or with a price adjustment clause bears that risk directly; anyone who only passes heating costs on to tenants with the annual statement feels it with a delay.

Why secure supply leaves the expensive question open

The agency’s all-clear is genuine and important: no one has to freeze this winter. But it does not answer the question that actually worries owners and businesses. Empty stores at the end of winter mean expensive refilling in spring, and that price ends up in the 2027 tariffs.

"The Bundesnetzagentur has settled whether homes stay warm. What a kilowatt hour of gas costs in February is in no situation report; that is decided by the contract." — Pedram Dadgar, Strategic adviser to Green Contracting GmbH

Since 2021 I have seen in heating projects that owners usually only learn their real gas price months later from the statement. Those who know their own contract situation now can adjust advance payments instead of being surprised by a back payment in spring.

What to do now

1. Check the gas supply contract: fixed price until when, price adjustment clause, notice periods.
2. Recalculate heating cost advance payments against the current wholesale price and adjust them if needed, before winter makes the gap visible.
3. Work out your own heat price per kilowatt hour so that alternatives to gas can be compared properly.