Brussels: The volume of gas in underground storage facilities in European Union countries has surpassed 85 billion cubic meters, marking a significant milestone in the region’s energy reserves.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the level of filling in these storage facilities is currently at approximately 77.51%. This figure represents a decrease of 7.36 percentage points compared to the average indicator over the past five years and is notably lower than the 92.4% recorded during the same period last year.

Currently, the European Union holds a total of 85.2 billion cubic meters of gas in its underground storage facilities. Despite this substantial quantity, the EU has yet to meet the European Commission’s requirement to ensure that storage facilities reach a 90% fill level by November 1 each year. This directive is aimed at bolstering reserves to prepare for potential supply disruptions or unusually cold weather during the winter months.

Moreover, the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has been ongoing since December 31, 2020, providing an additional supply route. However, the current storage levels suggest that more efforts may be needed to meet the upcoming winter demand and achieve the mandated storage targets.