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Adopted text

The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season

TA-10-2025-0101 · P10_TA(2025)0101 · PE772.015

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Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 on gas storage. It sets a filling target of 83% for underground gas storage facilities between 1 October and 1 December each year, with flexibility for Member States to deviate under certain conditions. The regulation extends the application of the gas storage provisions until 31 December 2027 and introduces measures to reduce reliance on Russian gas, including reporting on stored Russian gas and encouraging joint purchasing.

Key points

  1. Member States must meet a filling target of 83% for underground gas storage facilities between 1 October and 1 December each year.
  2. Member States may deviate by up to four percentage points from the filling target if market conditions are unfavourable, and the Commission can increase this deviation by up to four additional percentage points in persistent unfavourable conditions.
  3. Member States with storage facilities must submit an indicative filling plan for the whole calendar year to the Commission.
  4. Competent authorities must monitor compliance and report monthly to the Commission and the GCG, including information on the share of gas of Russian origin stored.
  5. If a Member State fails to meet the filling target, the Commission may issue a recommendation or adopt an implementing act setting a filling plan for that Member State.
  6. Member States without underground storage facilities must ensure arrangements for storage volumes corresponding to at least 15% of their average annual gas consumption over the preceding five years, unless technical limitations apply.
  7. Storage system operators must report filling levels to competent authorities, and Member States must take measures to enforce storage obligations, including sanctions and fines.
  8. The Commission may implement measures to help Member States meet the filling target, including encouraging participation in the demand aggregation and joint purchasing mechanism AggregateEU.
  9. The regulation applies until 31 December 2027, and Member States should refrain from storing gas of Russian origin, with the Union pursuing sanctions on Russian gas imports.

Who is affected

  • Member States with underground gas storage facilities: must meet the 83% filling target and submit filling plans.
  • Member States without underground gas storage facilities: must arrange for storage volumes equal to at least 15% of their average annual gas consumption.
  • Storage system operators: must report filling levels to competent authorities.
  • Market participants: may face storage obligations enforced by Member States, including sanctions and fines.

Figures and deadlines

  • 83% filling target for underground gas storage facilities between 1 October and 1 December.
  • Deviation of up to four percentage points from the filling target allowed under unfavourable market conditions.
  • Commission may increase the allowed deviation by up to four additional percentage points.
  • 15% of average annual gas consumption over the preceding five years for Member States without storage facilities.
  • Provisions apply until 31 December 2027.

Legal basis: Article 194(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union