Jun 25, 2025
EU agrees to relax gas storage regulations.
The member states of the European Union have reached an agreement with the EU Parliament to relax the rules on gas storage filling, due to concerns that the previous regulations could lead to higher energy prices. The European Commission announced the agreement on Tuesday.
These gas storage rules, introduced in 2022, aimed to ensure that EU countries had adequate fuel reserves during winter after Russia reduced gas deliveries following its invasion of Ukraine, which caused a surge in gas prices in Europe.
In April, governments supported a plan to ease these regulations before winter, worried that the mandate to fill storage to 90% capacity by November 1 was driving up prices by signaling to the market that European buyers needed to purchase large quantities of gas ahead of the deadline.
The new deal permits member states to meet the 90% filling target anytime between October 1 and December 1, considering the start of their withdrawal period. Once the target is achieved, maintaining that level is not required until December 1.
Member states can also deviate by up to ten percentage points from the target in challenging market conditions, such as speculation that could impede cost-effective filling.
EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen stated, "The European Union needs stable energy supplies at affordable prices to prosper. Gas storage is crucial for our supply security and market stability. It also shields us from Russia's energy weaponization and market manipulation." He added that this agreement demonstrates the EU's commitment to protecting its citizens and businesses from potential supply disruptions and price hikes.
These gas storage rules, introduced in 2022, aimed to ensure that EU countries had adequate fuel reserves during winter after Russia reduced gas deliveries following its invasion of Ukraine, which caused a surge in gas prices in Europe.
In April, governments supported a plan to ease these regulations before winter, worried that the mandate to fill storage to 90% capacity by November 1 was driving up prices by signaling to the market that European buyers needed to purchase large quantities of gas ahead of the deadline.
The new deal permits member states to meet the 90% filling target anytime between October 1 and December 1, considering the start of their withdrawal period. Once the target is achieved, maintaining that level is not required until December 1.
Member states can also deviate by up to ten percentage points from the target in challenging market conditions, such as speculation that could impede cost-effective filling.
EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen stated, "The European Union needs stable energy supplies at affordable prices to prosper. Gas storage is crucial for our supply security and market stability. It also shields us from Russia's energy weaponization and market manipulation." He added that this agreement demonstrates the EU's commitment to protecting its citizens and businesses from potential supply disruptions and price hikes.