EU urges lower energy use as its winter gas buffer thins
Dan Jørgensen, who handles energy policy for the EU, asked national governments to conserve gas and power ahead of winter. Gas occupied about 70% of storage capacity, leaving the level 12 points behind a year earlier. He recommended voluntary measures and suggested considering an 80% storage level instead of buying rapidly to reach 90%. The Commission said there was no immediate supply-security threat, but tighter global gas markets make the winter balance harder.
Economics & Markets··Morning
Storage starts winter from a lower level
Dan Jørgensen, the EU commissioner responsible for energy, asked the bloc’s national governments to maintain or examine ways to use less gas and power before winter. His letter said storage was about 70% full, 12 points under the corresponding level a year earlier, according to Gas Infrastructure Europe figures. Stored fuel provides a buffer when heating demand rises. The commissioner said conditions had not improved since his earlier warning in March, although the Commission saw no immediate threat to security of supply.[1]
Voluntary measures target gas and power
The letter recommends maintaining steps that sustain injections into storage or reduce use for as long as necessary. It lists voluntary measures familiar from the 2022 energy crisis: shifting electricity use away from peak hours through meters and tariffs, limiting heating in public buildings, cutting outdoor heating and leaving unneeded public lights dark overnight. Lower power demand at peak times can also reduce the gas burned by generators. Jørgensen did not announce mandatory conservation in this letter.[1]
Filling too quickly can raise the price
Jørgensen also suggested governments consider flexibility in storage rules: aiming for 80% instead of rushing to 90% in a tight market. The Commission’s concern is that many buyers making large purchases at once could lift gas prices. Asian importers are competing for LNG cargoes, while disrupted Middle Eastern supply narrows Europe’s choices. A megawatt-hour cost roughly 72 euros on the Dutch TTF gas benchmark at the time. A lower fill target would leave less stored gas for winter, while a purchase rush could make filling costlier.[1]
Related columns
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