ACER warns EU must increase LNG imports as gas storage levels hit 4-year low

According to its latest assessment, the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) has warned that the European Union will require significantly higher LNG imports this summer to rebuild depleted gas storage levels ahead of the winter (ACER analysis, 07/07/2026).

ACER highlighted that EU gas storage facilities were only 28% full at the beginning of the summer injection season on 1 April, representing the lowest level recorded in four years, based on data from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG).

The agency’s latest analysis of European gas wholesale markets for winter 2025/2026 indicates that EU LNG imports will need to increase by around 13% compared with 2025 levels to satisfy summer demand and achieve the 90% storage target before winter. However, the 80% filling target remains achievable with LNG import volumes maintained at 2025 levels. This highlights the increasing importance of LNG in the EU’s energy mix, as it currently represents around half of total gas imports, making the EU the world’s largest LNG importer.

ACER also warned that storage replenishment may become increasingly difficult in the coming months. Less favourable winter-summer price spreads, the gradual phase-out of short-term Russian LNG and pipeline gas contracts under the REPowerEU Gas Regulation, and ongoing market volatility linked to the Middle East conflict are limiting available supply for storage and increasing pressure to accelerate injections before November.

Current data also point to constrained storage conditions. Gas injections are running below both the 10-year summer average and 2025 levels, raising concerns over the ability to complete refilling on schedule. In addition, EU gas storage levels currently stand at around 49% of capacity, a level comparable to 2021.