German gas storage operators criticise EU plan for implementation
INES, the industry lobby of Germany's gas storage laws, said that a draft proposal to amend Germany's law on gas storage to align it with European Union regulations and to fill up to the desired level could be unfair to certain operators. It may even reduce supplies.
Germany is the largest gas consumer in Europe and has the most underground storage. It can fill caverns to a quarter with its annual consumption. Its efforts to implement rules on storage have an impact across all markets in the EU.
INES criticized Germany's plan to require 80% filling of gas stocks by November 1, when six facilities were given an individual target of 45%.
The six storage units are located in Bad Lauchstaedt (Frankenthal), Haehnlein (Rehden), Stockstadt (Uelsen), and Stockstadt/Stockstadt.
The German Economy Ministry circulated a draft of provisions for the winter of 2025/26 on Monday. A copy was seen by, in an effort to adhere to the looser rules regarding filling storage that were backed last month by EU members.
The proposed amendments will allow countries to reduce by 10 percentage points the former requirement of 90% capacity.
The rules were enacted in 2022 as a buffer to protect against a possible Russian gas cut, but they have proven to be too expensive.
INES criticized another inconsistency regarding the end of the winter in the draft. Storage facilities would have to be at least 30 percent full by February 1, 2026. However, four units, Bierwang, Breitbrunn Inzenham West and Wolfersberg, were given a 40% target.
The higher demand could cause a shortage of supplies by the end winter.
A Berlin Ministry spokesperson declined to comment on INES's points, saying that the draft hadn't been sent to the Cabinet. Vera Eckert reported, Barbara Lewis edited.
(source: Reuters)
