The European Commission has proposed extending the EU’s gas storage obligations until the end of 2027 to maintain energy security and stabilize the region’s gas markets. The proposal, announced on March 5, 2025, aims to ensure adequate gas reserves amid ongoing market fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties. For the 2025 storage filling season, the Commission is introducing greater flexibility for EU Member States, allowing them to adjust their storage strategies based on evolving market conditions.
This measure is intended to enable more efficient gas procurement throughout the summer months, optimizing purchasing costs while maintaining supply security. The proposed two-year extension is accompanied by a Commission recommendation on gas storage targets for 2025. The recommendation encourages EU Member States to factor in current market conditions when setting national refill strategies. By allowing enhanced flexibility in meeting these targets, the Commission seeks to prevent market distortions and alleviate potential supply pressures.
Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing, emphasized the importance of maintaining gas storage as a safeguard against supply disruptions. He noted that while the tool has been effective in securing energy supplies, EU Member States require the ability to manage storage levels under optimal market conditions. The recommendation aims to strike a balance between regulatory stability and market adaptability. Under the existing regulation, which remains in force until the end of 2025, certain flexibilities and safeguards are already in place.
These include a permissible five-percentage-point deviation from intermediary storage targets and the option for EU Member States to achieve the 90% storage target by December 1 instead of November 1, should technical or market-related challenges arise. The regulation also accommodates Member States with significant underground gas storage capacity by imposing lower filling requirements. Additionally, those with substantial LNG storage infrastructure are permitted to count such reserves toward their overall storage obligations, easing the pressure on traditional gas storage facilities.
A report published alongside the proposal highlights the Gas Storage Regulation’s success since its introduction in 2022. According to the Commission, the framework has contributed to supply stability and reduced market volatility, reinforcing its role in the EU’s broader energy security strategy. The proposed extension aims to build on these achievements while adapting to evolving energy market conditions. – By EuroWire News Desk.