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News article19 May 2022BrusselsDirectorate-General for Energy

Commission welcomes political agreement on new rules for securing winter gas storage

The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and EU Member States on the legislative proposal for minimum gas storage obligations proposed by the Commission in March 2022. The new rules, against the backdrop of Russia's war against Ukraine, will ensure security of energy supply across the EU each winter. Already this year, Member States will need to reach a minimum 80% gas storage level by 1 November to protect against potential interruptions to supply. From 2023, the target will be raised to 90% full gas storage by 1 November.

Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson represented the Commission in this week's negotiations, and said this morning:

Filling the EU's gas storage before the next winter is crucial for ensuring our security of supply. Today's agreement on the Commission's storage obligation proposal is therefore an important step towards being prepared for the next heating season, guaranteeing that our gas storage will be at least 80% full. I am grateful to the European Parliament and the French Presidency of the Council for the exceptionally swift agreement that demonstrates EU's unity in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council is now subject to formal approval by the two co-legislators.

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Details

Publication date
19 May 2022
Author
Directorate-General for Energy
Location
Brussels