Dutch industry and private households have used so much gas in the past week that energy firms have called on the national gas reserves, the AD reported on Wednesday.

Gas use has risen by almost one third since the start of the month, distribution company Gasunie has confirmed.

Nevertheless, the gas reserves have only gone down by 10% since mid October when they were filled to 93% capacity. ‘As long as the winter is not too severe, we won’t have a problem,’ a spokeswoman told the paper.

In addition, Dutch households are using less gas than they did during previous cold snaps. Last weekend usage was down 20% on previous years with similar weather conditions, broadcaster NOS reported.

Gasunie wants to increase storage capacity to make sure that there are no shortages, whatever the weather, and the LNG installations in Rotterdam and Eemshaven are being expanded.

With gas supplies from Russia halted, the Netherlands is now reliant on its own small fields, imports from Norway and LNG brought in via ship.