MOSCOW, March 20, 2025 (BSS/TASS) - Gas reserves in Europe's underground gas storage (UGS) facilities have fallen to around 34% for the first time in more than three years as they stand at less than 38 bln cubic meters (bcm), according to data provided by Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE). Net withdrawal from European UGS facilities since the beginning of the heating season has reached around 68 bln cubic meters.

Gas withdrawal from UGS facilities in EU countries amounted to 353 mln cubic meters (mcm) on March 18, according to GIE. Pumping has increased to 42 mcm. Gas volumes in UGS facilities total 38 bcm, which is the sixth-highest level for March since records started.

European UGS facilities are currently 34.25% full (11.47 percentage points lower than the average as of this date in the past five years). The heating season in Europe started on October 29, 2024, with EU countries having withdrawn around 72.5 bcm of gas from UGS facilities since then.

The share of wind generation in the EU's electricity output averaged 13% in February, and it has been at 16% in March. The gas purchase price averaged about $542 per 1,000 cubic meters in Europe in February, and it has equaled around $467 in March.

LNG have been supplied from terminals to Europe's gas transport system with record rates this month. Facilities for regasification of liquefied gas and its further pumping into Europe's pipelines are loaded by 59% of their capacity now.