What is gas storage?
With gas storage, we store natural gas on a large scale in underground storage facilities. Gas from these storage sites is used when there is a temporary increase in demand for natural gas, for example during the winter months. Natural gas can also be stored as a strategic reserve or emergency stock in the event of unexpected disruptions to the market and/or gas supply.
Through gas storage, we help ensure that sufficient physical supplies of natural gas are available throughout the year. As such, gas storage is a crucial instrument for safeguarding security of energy supply.
Gas Storage Facilities in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has four gas storage facilities located in depleted gas fields: Norg, Grijpskerk, Bergermeer and PGI Alkmaar. On behalf of the Dutch State, EBN holds a 40% interest in all natural gas storage facilities in the Netherlands. EBN works together with NAM at the Norg and Grijpskerk storage facilities, and with TAQA Energy at the Bergermeer and Alkmaar storage facilities.
EBN’s Filling Task for Gas Storage Facilities
Recent developments in the international energy market and the changing geopolitical landscape have significant implications for energy security and the operation of underground gas storage facilities.
Under normal circumstances, gas storage facilities are largely filled by market participants. However, due to current market conditions, doing so is not financially attractive for these parties. As a result, the Dutch government has asked EBN to take on this responsibility for the 2026 filling season. EBN has been assigned a filling target of 85 TWh for the PGI Alkmaar, Grijpskerk, Norg and Bergermeer gas storage facilities.
EBN’s Role in Natural Gas Storage
The Netherlands has four gas storage facilities located in depleted gas fields: Norg, Grijpskerk, Bergermeer and Alkmaar. On behalf of the Dutch State, EBN holds a 40% interest in all of these storage facilities.
Under normal market conditions, gas storage facilities are largely filled by commercial market participants. However, due to geopolitical tensions and recent developments in international energy markets, it is currently not financially attractive for these parties to do so. To safeguard security of gas supply, the Dutch government has asked EBN to take on this responsibility for the 2026 filling season and fill a significant portion of the storage capacity. EBN has been assigned a filling target of 85 TWh across the PGI Alkmaar (strategic reserve), Grijpskerk, Norg and Bergermeer gas storage facilities.