German company Uniper Energy Storage notified the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) of its formal request to decommission the natural gas storage facility in Breitbrunn, located in the federal state of Bavaria. The closure is scheduled to take effect from March 31, 2027, although the official notification was made on April 30, 2025.
The company’s decision responds to a scenario marked by persistently unfavorable market conditions, which has made the operation of the facility economically unsustainable. Specifically, Uniper failed to market 6.2 TWh of Breitbrunn’ s 11.5 TWh of operational capacity during 2025, even through auctions, reflecting a market disinterest in leasing space at this storage site.
Economic factors and formal application to the BNetzA
Uniper Energy Storage has followed the procedure stipulated by German law for this type of energy infrastructure. energy infrastructures . In its petition to the BNetzA, the company relies on Article 35h of the Energy Act (EnWG), which regulates the closure or decommissioning of critical facilities for the energy system.
As part of the process, the company provided the required legal documentation demonstrating that the decommissioning of this facility does not jeopardize the security of gas supply in Germany or the European Union, which is essential for the federal regulator to evaluate the application and authorize the decommissioning without objections.
What does the closure of Breitbrunn mean for Germany?
The gas storage at Breitbrunn is of the porous rock type, a modality used primarily to meet seasonal demands for natural gas. natural gas . This type of installation, although technical and complex, depends to a large extent on the economic viability offered by the energy market.
Subway gas storage has historically been an essential tool for German energy security, especially during the winter, however, the closure of Breitbrunn will not, according to reports presented by Uniper, generate negative impacts on the country’s energy supply or that of its European partners.
The future of Uniper Energy Storage
Despite the closure request, Uniper maintains operations at other storage sites and continues to adapt its strategy in line with European energy developments. European energy developments . The Breitbrunn case may mark a trend towards consolidation or reconversion of traditional infrastructures, especially if market signals do not support their long-term maintenance.
Breitbrunn’s closure file is now under evaluation by the BNetzA. If approved, the facility will officially cease operation in March 2027.
Source: Uniper Energy Storage.
