All the Inčukalns underground gas storage capacity offered in the first auction has been sold

On 10 February, the first Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage (UGS) auction of 2026 took place, offering system users 1.575 TWh of storage capacity for five storage cycles, with a starting price of 2.00 EUR/MWh per cycle. The entire volume of the offered capacity was sold, and the price reached 2.12 EUR/MWh per cycle. As the entire five‑year capacity product has been auctioned, this was the last five‑year bundled capacity auction this year.

For the 2026/2027 storage cycle, capacity will still be available in the one‑year capacity product and interruptible capacity product auctions. The first one‑year product auction will take place on 26 February, with a starting price set at 2.13 EUR/MWh. Interruptible capacity product auctions will take place if all capacity is not sold in the one‑year product auction. The starting price for this product will be 1.11 EUR/MWh. The exact volume of storage capacity for the one‑year auction will be announced on 19 February together with the auction rules. “Conexus” invites system users to reserve the necessary storage capacity through auctions in order to prepare for the upcoming natural gas withdrawal season and ensure sufficient gas reserves for the winter.

“The completed storage capacity auction proves that system users take future capacity reservation responsibly. It is important to recognise the role of the storage facility in ensuring energy security and continuity, which has been particularly evident during this year’s cold winter. Reserved storage capacity and the natural gas later injected into the storage directly contribute to the stability of gas deliveries. It should be emphasised that auctions enable us as the service provider to ensure transparent use of the storage facility for market participants, while for system users — especially when opting for the five‑year bundled capacity product — the auction provides an opportunity to forecast costs and plan operations efficiently in the medium term,” notes “Conexus” Technical Director Rinalds Dimiņš.

The calendar of capacity auctions organised by “Conexus” is available in the schedule published on the company’s website.