The Commission is urging EU countries to start preparing for winter amid energy disruptions in the Middle East

In light of the market volatility caused by the conflict in the Middle East, the European Commission is urging EU countries to begin the gas storage season and make preparations in a coordinated and timely manner ahead of next winter.

The EU’s energy supply security remains safeguarded at this stage thanks to its low dependence on imports from this region and on liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments that used to pass through the Strait of Hormuz prior to the conflict. However, timely and coordinated preparation is essential to ensure the proper replenishment of gas reserves for the coming heating season, adapting to market conditions and applying flexibilities.

The Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, stated: “We are much better prepared than in 2022 thanks to collective policy decisions, coordinated diversification efforts and the accelerated deployment of domestic energy production. However, our exposure to global market volatility is clear, and we must ensure we act now to prepare for winter, and do so in a coordinated manner. Starting injections into storage facilities as soon as possible would allow us to benefit from a longer injection period and adapt to market conditions to ease pressure on prices and avoid a surge in demand at the end of summer. In these difficult times, it is crucial that we do everything we can to protect our citizens and businesses.”

In a letter addressed to all EU energy ministers, the Commissioner recalled that theEU Gas Storage Regulationoffers member states greater flexibility to meet their storage filling targets and react swiftly to changing market conditions. This flexibility, which includes the possibility of reducing the filling target or achieving it over a longer timeframe under certain conditions, can help reduce gas demand during periods of supply shortages and ease the pressure on gas prices in Europe.

More information: European Commission.