Inverse Storage: Storage Capacity is available immediately with gas on the balance account

• Underground gas storage operator Gas Storage CZ has launched a new product

• Demand exceeded supply several times over in two auctions in December, with 440 GWh of capacity booked so far

A new type of storage product has been offered by Gas Storage CZ to natural gas traders in the Czech Republic in recent days. The so-called Inverse Storage is a storage capacity that the company offers in the auction to customers with the gas already on the balance account. The natural gas is therefore available immediately at the beginning of the storage period without the need to inject gas into the storage facility, and at the end of the storage period the customer returns the gas to the account.

In the first two auctions that held in the past few days, the demand exceeded the total offered volume of almost 440 GWh by up to seven times. The Inverse Storage product is contractually bound for the period from mid-2025 to March 2026. The company is preparing further auctions of a similar type.

"We are looking for new ways to help the natural gas market in the Czech Republic, in neighbouring countries this product is commonly offered by underground storage operators. The first two auctions have shown us that this way is interesting for traders, they have gas available immediately at the beginning of the contract period," said Pavel Moučka, Chairman of the Board of Gas Storage CZ. "During this year, also with a view to increasing security of supply, we sold more capacity than was usual in previous years, " Moučka added.

Gas Storage CZ operates a total of six underground gas storage facilities in Dolní Dunajovice, Tvrdonice, Lobodice, Štramberk and Třanovice in Moravia, as well as an underground gas storage facility in Háje near Příbram. Their total capacity represents approximately one third of the total annual natural gas consumption in the Czech Republic. "These are unique technologies that require maximum and very professional care. That is why we invest hundreds of millions of CZK every year in the reliability and safety of the storage facilities, " Moučka added. Adequate capacity in natural gas storage facilities is also important in view of the expected growth in gas use in the heating industry and also in view of the overall development of the energy sector towards an increase in the share of production from renewable sources.