Denmark to Miss EU’s 90% Gas Storage Target Before Deadline

Denmark will not meet the 90% gas storage threshold by November 1st due to production and maintenance delays, according to the Danish Energy Agency.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25£/month*

*billed annually at 99£/year for the first year then 149,00£/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2£/month*
then 14.90£ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The deadline set by the European Union for its member states to reach a 90% gas storage threshold by November 1, 2024, is approaching, but Denmark has already confirmed it will not meet this target. The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) informed the European Commission that due to technical delays and maintenance work, the country will only have 73.8% of its storage capacity filled by the end of October.

This delay is mainly attributed to the postponement of the offshore Tyra gas field’s production restart, the largest gas field in Denmark. Tyra’s reopening was initially scheduled for March 2024 after redevelopment work that began in 2019, but technical issues in April pushed back the full ramp-up to mid-November. Furthermore, maintenance operations on the Baltic Pipe, which connects Norway to Denmark, also hindered gas injections.

Technical Delays and Impact on Denmark’s Gas Strategy

Denmark is among the few EU countries that have not reached the required 90% threshold within the given timeframe. However, the Danish agency states that it is still technically possible to meet this target by December 1st. Despite these delays, the overall energy situation in Europe remains stable, according to the DEA, partly due to continued gas imports from Germany, compensating for the lack of domestic production during Tyra’s maintenance.

The gas storage requirements became a political priority for the EU after the 2022 energy crisis. The storage obligation, introduced in June 2022, was designed to ensure that member states have sufficient reserves in the event of supply disruptions. Denmark, despite its small storage capacity of 10.4 TWh (1 billion m³), must comply with these obligations while heavily relying on its own gas resources.

The Role of the Tyra Gas Field in Denmark’s Energy Policy

The technical capacity of the Tyra gas field, estimated at around 8.1 million cubic meters per day, is expected to be sufficient to meet Denmark’s internal demand once full production is restored. The gas field is operated by TotalEnergies, along with partners such as BlueNord and Nordsofonden. Full restoration of Tyra’s operations is expected between November 15 and 30, 2024, according to the latest forecasts from TotalEnergies.

The redevelopment of Tyra was necessary due to the natural subsidence of the chalk reservoir after years of production. This delay in Tyra’s restart affects Denmark’s long-term strategies, which relied on this resource to maintain energy independence while reducing reliance on gas imports from Germany and Russia.

Implications for the European Gas Market

Despite these delays, European gas prices remain high, with a recent assessment of the Dutch TTF (Title Transfer Facility) benchmark price at €41.35/MWh. The implementation of a gas export tax by Germany, which will end in 2025, has reduced the economic attractiveness of Danish gas exports to Europe. This further complicates Denmark’s efforts to meet EU requirements while pursuing its own energy goals.

The production delays at Tyra and the strict storage policies imposed by the EU highlight the challenges small member states face in aligning national policies with regional obligations, especially in a tight energy market context.

The United States has threatened economic sanctions against International Maritime Organization members who approve a global carbon tax on international shipping emissions.
Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
Kuwait plans to develop 14.05 GW of new power capacity by 2031 to meet growing demand and reduce scheduled outages, driven by extreme temperatures and maintenance delays.
The partnership with the World Bank-funded Pro Energia+ programme aims to expand electricity access in Mozambique by targeting rural communities through a results-based financing mechanism.
The European Commission strengthens ACER’s funding through a new fee structure applied to reporting entities, aimed at supporting increased surveillance of wholesale energy market transactions.
France’s Court of Auditors is urging clarity on EDF’s financing structure, as the public utility confronts a €460bn investment programme through 2040 to support its new nuclear reactor rollout.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25£/month*

*billed annually at 99£/year for the first year then 149,00£/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2£/month*
then 14.90£ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.