German gas storage system operators criticise new EU requirements

This week, representatives of INES— an association of German gas storage system operators, which accounts for more than 90% of gas storage capacity—stated that planned changes to the requirements for natural gas reserves could have a negative impact. According to them, the revision of these EU rules will put pressure on some operators, and lead to supply cuts.

INES criticized the plan proposed by Germany government on filling gas storage facilities. According to it, the association should continue to fill its storage facilities to 80% by the start of the heating season, in accordance with the EU norm. Other private facilities, however, had a lower target of 45%.

This norm of 80% was set by the EU after Russian gas supplies were cut off in 2022, but proved to be economically unfavorable.

Earlier this week, the country's Ministry of Economic Affairs published the draft regulations to be adopted in the winter of 2025/26. According to the draft, Germany will be subject to more lenient filling requirements for gas storage facilities. Last month, the draft received support from EU members.