Europe faces winter with low gas reserves and sharply higher prices

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  Europe is entering the coming winter with gas reserves at their lowest level since 2011 and prices at their highest in four years.

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  Gas storage is at 73.1% of capacity, 15 percentage points below the average for the past five years, and below 60% in Germany.

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  The halt in Russian gas purchases and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the war in Iran have reduced global gas supplies.

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  The European Commission has urged member states to adjust gas consumption, while independent experts say demand needs to fall by at least 7%.

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  If supplies run short, Europe could face power cuts, higher prices, or both, with risks to consumers and industry.

Who

European consumers and industry face risks; the European Commission has urged member states to adjust gas consumption.

What

Europe is approaching winter with low gas reserves and sharply higher prices, raising the risk of shortages and power cuts.

When

Ahead of the coming winter. The article was published on 12 October 2026.

Where

Europe, including Germany, where reserves are below 60% of capacity.

Why

Russian gas purchases have halted and the Strait of Hormuz has closed amid the war in Iran, reducing global gas supplies.

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