The global energy transition is picking up steam this year, particularly in terms of gas. For the past few decades, the world has been heavily reliant on the oil industry to provide the necessary energy for daily life; however, the vast majority of nations have committed to an energy transition that places the future of the energy industry firmly in the welcoming hands of the natural gas and LNG industry. ENTSOG and the Gas Infrastructure Europe organization have recently released a revised transparency map for the European gas network.
The role of the global gas and LNG industry is evolving in 2026
The global energy transition away from oila nd coal towards the more environmentally friendly gas market has been gaining traction over the past few years as nations aim to meet previous commitments to clean energy and emissions reduction. Natural gas has become a major player in the European energy industry, and now, thanks to the efforts of the GIE and ENSTOG, the European gas network has become that little bit easier to understand.
The pair of European gas network institutions recently released their newly created annual joint System Capacity Map 2026. The comprehensive overview of the European gas network has become an important tool to assess the progress of the gas network expansion in Europe. The map paints a picture of an aggregated historical gas demand and supply data for the European market.
ENTSOG has become a significant organization for the European gas market since its founding
Founded in 2009, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) has, over its lifetime, played a vital role in facilitating integration of the substantial European gas market, providing the certainty and security for future gas developments. The new joint System Capacity Map 2026 provides a clear and transparent map for the European gas expansion.
“ENTSOG and GIE aim annually to improve the map and how the data are presented, to ensure maximum transparency and information sharing. Our system capacity maps constitute a voluntary exercise but have been widely recognised and appreciated by institutions, industry stakeholders, and policymakers as valuable tools for gaining a comprehensive overview of the gas infrastructure across Europe.” – Piotr Kuś, ENTSOG General Director
The annual System Capacity Map has revealed the capacity potential of the European gas market
Along with the historical data provided by the latest ENTSOG Summer and Winter Review Reports, there is the import and transmission capacity data as of January 1, 2026. The significant information regarding gas storage fill rates and LNG capacities as part of the System Capacity Map has been sourced by GIE’s AGSI and ALSI platforms, respectively.
The notably installed gas power generation capacity data is based on the ENTSO-E Transparency Platform. In the latest 2026 edition, the map has been expanded to include historical demand and supply data for Moldova and Ukraine. The joint System Capacity Map was published for the first time in 2024, and it combines the relevant information from former System Development and Transmission Capacity maps.
As the global gas market expands this year, led mostly by the remarkable efforts of the United States and its litany of energy firms, the System Capacity Map has become a vital tool to provide a clear and transparent picture of the European gas network.
Europe’s energy market will evolve this year, thanks in part to the System Capacity Map
As noted by the GIE Secretary General, Lucie Boost, “a map can say more than a thousand words”. The System Capacity Map provides a clear and transparent picture of the European gas network and provides the foundation for nations and energy companies to plan for future projects and pipelines, which could only serve the foresight required for energy generation in a tiny and densely populated continent such as Europe.
