Germany Opens Tenders to Bolster Gas Supply for Early 2027
Germany's gas market operator has launched tenders to secure supply for January-March 2027, with storage levels at a seasonal record low.
Germany's natural gas market operator, Trading Hub Europe (THE), has launched a set of tenders aimed at ensuring adequate gas availability during the first quarter of 2027, as unusually low storage levels stoke concerns about winter supply.
The tenders use so-called Long-Term Options (LTO), a mechanism that lets THE lock in gas deliveries from traders for possible future use and serves as a tool to strengthen the security of supply.
The move comes as German gas storage sites — which help meet peak heating demand in winter — stand at 56.6% full, the lowest level recorded for this time of year.
Under the main tender, THE is seeking bids to provide balancing services for January, February and March 2027, covering 14,350 megawatt hours (MWh) per hour for each month. That is marginally below last year's tender, which sought 14,410 MWh/h for each month of the first quarter of 2026.
Additional special LTO tenders are seeking 21,300 MWh/h for February 1 to March 1, 2027, and 15,000 MWh/h for March 1 to March 15, 2027. Those volumes match the quantities sought for February 15 to March 1 and March 1 to 15 this year.
Offers can be submitted from October 6 to October 20, with results due to be announced on October 23.