Germany is entering the heating season with critically low gas storage levels, raising fears of supply shortages amid cold winter temperatures. The gas storage facilities are only 75% full, below the expected 81% by November, according to the energy storage initiative (INES). This shortfall could lead to gas shortages as early as January if temperatures drop significantly, with experts warning that existing political measures were insufficient to ensure higher storage levels. The storage capacity is primarily managed by companies covering over 90% of Germany's gas and hydrogen storage. Despite continuous filling over the summer, the pace was slower than last year and less than the European average. INES warns that under extreme cold conditions, such as in 2010, the storage could be completely depleted by mid-January, potentially causing severe supply issues. The organization criticizes the German government for not utilizing available political frameworks to improve winter preparedness, contrasting Germany's storage levels with those of other EU countries, which are better stocked.