The German machinery and industrial equipment sector is warning of potential gas shortages this winter as storage levels remain critically low and prices surge.
Speaking in Frankfurt, Thilo Brodtmann, managing director of industry group VDMA, said the slow refilling of gas storage facilities has heightened concerns over supply disruptions in the coming months. Many critical processes in machinery manufacturing rely on natural gas, and both physical shortages and price spikes would pose significant risks to operations, he noted.
Germany’s gas storage facilities were filled to just 50% of capacity as of this week, the lowest seasonal level since records began in 2011, according to the Ines gas storage association. This compares with 67% at the same time last year. The decline follows reduced winter purchases by traders, who have been deterred by elevated prices linked to heightened geopolitical tensions, including the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid conflicts involving Iran.
While the federal economics ministry acknowledges the urgency, it insists the primary responsibility for securing supply rests with private companies, gas suppliers, and wholesalers. A spokesperson said the government is preparing contingency measures that could be deployed quickly if conditions deteriorate, though officials currently do not anticipate a gas shortage this winter.
VDMA has urged policymakers to take immediate action to ensure adequate stockpiles, emphasizing the shared responsibility of suppliers, government, and industry to maintain energy security.
