19 September 2026, 02:20 UTC

Romania's gas storage at 76.26%, above EU average, with 80% target set for 1 October

Romania's underground gas storage was 76.26% full, or about 2.43 billion cubic metres, above the European Union average of 68.26%, the Ministry of Energy said. Operators with stockholding obligations confirmed the 80% target for 1 October can be met. The build-up is running against European TTF prices of 83-84 euros per megawatt-hour, the highest since December 2022.

Romania's natural gas storage facilities were 76.26% full at the latest review, the equivalent of about 2.43 billion cubic metres, according to the Ministry of Energy in figures reported by Forbes Romania. The level places the country above the European Union average of 68.26%.

Authorities expect Romania to reach a storage level of 80% by 1 October, the benchmark set for the start of the cold season. With about four percentage points still to cover, the ministry says injection has to continue at a sustained pace over the coming weeks.

Operators confirm the injection schedule

The state of the country's gas reserves was reviewed on Tuesday at a meeting of the Energy Command dedicated to the natural gas sector, coordinated by Cristian Bușoi, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Energy. The forum brings together the companies and institutions responsible for keeping the system supplied through the winter.

Those attending included:

Ion Sterian, general manager of transmission system operator Transgaz
representatives of the national energy regulator ANRE
natural gas producers and suppliers
distribution operators and representatives of institutions with responsibilities in the energy sector

Operators that carry gas stockholding obligations confirmed at the meeting that injection is proceeding as planned and that the 80% target for 1 October can be reached, Forbes Romania reported. The ministry said it is following the build-up closely “so that Romania enters the cold season with an adequate level of reserves and with all the necessary measures to ensure continuity and safety in natural gas supply”.

A tighter European market

Preparations for the 2026-2027 winter are taking place against a difficult European backdrop of high gas prices and storage levels lower than in previous years. According to the Ministry of Energy, the European benchmark TTF has climbed in recent days to between 83 and 84 euros per megawatt-hour — almost three times the level recorded at the start of the year and the highest since December 2022.

The ministry links the increase to several factors: geopolitical tensions, difficulties on the global liquefied natural gas market and low gas stocks across Europe. The move adds pressure on the states that still have to complete their reserves before the heating season begins, because every remaining cubic metre is being bought at the top of this year's price range.

Four points left to fill

A fill rate of just over 76% leaves Romania roughly four percentage points short of the 1 October target. “In this context, the priority remains security of supply during the cold season, as well as maintaining a sustained pace of injection in the coming weeks,” the ministry said in its statement.

Stock levels will continue to be monitored in the period ahead given the volatility on the European gas market and the preparations for the 2026-2027 cold season, the ministry said. Storage trajectories across the bloc remain a reference point for regional supply security, and the EU average of 68.26% shows how much ground some markets still have to make up.

Expert commentary

“Romania is holding 2.43 billion cubic metres in storage, 76.26% of capacity, against an EU average of 68.26%. That is eight percentage points of cushion. The gap to the 1 October target is about four points, and those are the most expensive four points of the year: TTF sits at 83-84 euros per megawatt-hour, close to three times the January level and the highest since December 2022.

The price signal is working against the filling job. Geopolitical tension, a tight global LNG market and thin European stocks all push the same way. Storage normally pays when summer gas is cheaper than winter gas; at these levels that spread does not reward injection, so the last volumes are bought because the obligation requires it, not because the trade makes money. In Romania that obligation sits with producers and suppliers, and the cost shows up later in winter contracts and in their margins.

Being eight points above the EU average is a genuine buffer, but storage covers peak days, not a whole season. A cold January with Europe short and LNG cargoes pulled to Asia would test it quickly. The number worth watching is not 80% on 1 October — operators say it will be there — but the withdrawal rate in the first weeks of the cold season and how much of the winter Romania has to buy at 80-plus euros.”

Daniel Brooks

Lead Energy Markets Analyst