- Russian gas storage is 91.4% full, according to state-energy giant Gazprom.
- Russian domestic supply is a stark contrast to the shortfall of energy supplies in Europe.
- The Netherlands is seeking exemption from EU sanctions as it struggles to replace Russian gas.
Russia's Gazprom said domestic gas storage is nearly full, a stark contrast to the rest of Europe as countries scramble to stock up on energy before winter hits.
Reuters reported that the state-run energy producer said that Russian storage is 91.4% full as of August 24.
Meanwhile, European Union nations are facing a crisis as energy supplies remain hampered as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine.
As per data from Energy Monitor, Europe's gas storage sites are fat 67% of their maximum capacity, up from last year but not on target to ensure enough supply if Russia completely shuts off energy imports.
In Germany, gas storage capacity is 67% full while in Italy and France, it is 71% and 76% full, respectively, per Energy Monitor.
Western sanctions imposed by the UK, EU, and the US on Russia triggered a host of cuts to energy flows from the energy-rich country in retaliation, leaving European governments fearful about whether they'll have enough storage for the colder months.
In Russia's latest move threatening European supply, it plans to halt gas flows via the key Nord Stream 1 pipeline for three days to carry out unplanned maintenance. Before that, it had already slashed gas supplies through the key pipeline to just 20% capacity.
In response, several European countries have been forced to draw up emergency plans, including organized blackouts, rationing and even turning to carbon-intensive fossil fuels like coal to generate electricity.
Germany, which has been caught in the heart of a crippling energy crisis, recently revived a mothballed coal-fueled power plant as it runs short of gas supplies, while France temporarily wavered a environmental rule to allow nuclear power stations to continue operating.
Other nations however, like the Netherlands haven't been able to find an alternative source of gas to replace Russian imports contracted via Gazprom.
According to Reuters, the Dutch city of Hague in the Netherlands said it would request for a temporary exemption of EU sanctions against Russia, which includes a prohibition of any transactions with Russian state-owned companies.