Elenger replenishes regional gas stocks with regular LNG deliveries throughout the winter
From November to March, energy company Elenger will deliver at least five cargoes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the Baltic-Finnish region, totalling approximately 5 terawatt-hours (TWh). First of these cargoes has just arrived from the United States at the Port of Inkoo in Finland. The shipment will replenish gas stocks at Latvia’s Inčukalns underground gas storage facility. Two further cargoes are scheduled for November and December, followed by another two in the first quarter of 2027. These deliveries will help ensure a reliable supply of natural gas to businesses and households in Finland and the Baltic region throughout the heating season.
“Winter gas supply relies on a combination of stored gas and regular deliveries. The Inčukalns underground gas storage facility helps meet peak demand, while LNG terminals and pipeline interconnections enable additional volumes of gas to reach the region throughout the heating season. Based on current gas stocks and planned deliveries, we believe the Baltic-Finnish region is well prepared for the coming winter,” says Gints Brakovskis, Managing Director of Elenger Latvia.
Multiple supply routes strengthen regional energy security
In recent years, natural gas supply sources and routes serving the Baltic-Finnish region have diversified. Historically, natural gas supplies in Latvia and Estonia during the winter largely depended on gas stored at the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility. Today, supplies are also secured through the Klaipėda LNG terminal in Lithuania and the Inkoo LNG terminal in Finland, while the Poland-Lithuania Gas Interconnection (GIPL) connects the Baltic states to the wider European gas network. LNG terminals also provide temporary storage of liquefied natural gas before it is regasified and injected into the transmission network.
Gas stocks must be assessed alongside winter deliveries
According to Latvia’s Ministry of Climate and Energy, in mid-October the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility held approximately 12 TWh of natural gas, including a 1.8 TWh national security-of-supply reserve. This volume represented approximately 72% of the storage capacity booked for the 2026/2027 storage cycle. However, the storage fill level alone does not reflect the overall availability of natural gas in the region, as deliveries continue throughout the heating season. Approximately 12.4 TWh of natural gas was withdrawn from the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility during the season, while around 4.5 TWh was injected over the same period.
Geopolitical developments and competition in the global LNG market influence gas prices
As natural gas supply sources have diversified, the Baltic-Finnish region has become more closely connected to the global LNG market. Elenger imports natural gas from the United States and Norway, but European gas prices are also affected by developments in other gas-producing regions and along key transport routes.
The Strait of Hormuz is particularly important because Qatar’s LNG exports pass through it on their way to global markets. If these shipments are disrupted, buyers in Asia seek alternative supplies, including from the same suppliers that serve European gas companies. This increases competition for available LNG cargoes and can push up prices in Europe as well.
Latvia is part of this interconnected market. Even when gas shipments to the region do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz, developments there can still affect gas procurement costs. Prices are also influenced by seasonal demand, weather conditions and gas storage levels across Europe.
“It is important for customers to understand both how gas supplies are secured and what drives prices. Our delivery schedule and gas stocks allow us to plan supplies, while prices depend on developments in international markets. We help our customers assess their consumption and choose the gas purchasing solution that best meets their needs,” says G. Brakovskis.
About Elenger
Elenger is the largest privately owned energy company in the Baltic states and Finland, with operations spanning the entire energy value chain, from trading and production to delivery to end customers. The company serves more than 450,000 customers and employs over 1,000 people.
Elenger supplies its customers with natural gas sourced from Western countries and renewable biomethane. The company also operates gas distribution networks in Estonia, Latvia and Poland, with a combined length of over 9,000 kilometres. In addition, Elenger sells electricity, including green electricity generated at its own solar parks, and is actively engaged in international energy trading. Elenger is owned by the investment company Infortar, whose shares are listed on the Nasdaq Tallinn Baltic Main List.
