The European Commission and EU countries reconfirmed in late September that gas supply across the bloc was stable, even though storage levels were below historical norms.
EU officials said there was no immediate supply risk at the time of their assessment.
Storage is a buffer for winter. A lower starting level makes continued monitoring more important, even when supply is currently stable.
Storage, LNG arrivals, winter weather and subsequent EU assessments.
The statement, published on 25 September, followed a meeting of the Gas Coordination Group, where the Commission and national authorities review the security of Europe’s gas supply.
Participants noted that storage was lower than in previous years, but confirmed that supply to protected customers — households and essential services — is guaranteed under the conditions set out in EU rules.
The meeting also discussed how the gas supply standard in Article 6 of the EU security-of-supply regulation is enforced. That standard requires member states to keep gas flowing to protected customers during severe events, such as extreme cold or a major disruption to infrastructure.
ENTSOG, the association of Europe’s gas transmission system operators, presented preliminary findings of its Winter Preparedness Report, due to be published on 8 October. The Commission said it would keep monitoring the situation closely with EU countries and other stakeholders; the group was due to meet again, together with gas associations, on 8 October.
Storage is Europe’s main buffer for winter. Starting the season with less gas in storage does not mean a shortage, but it makes weather, LNG arrivals and the pace of withdrawals more important to watch.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy, 25 September 2026. Statement dated 25 September 2026; conditions may have changed since. Summary and wording by Megawise.
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