Gas storage, in particular Underground Gas Storage (UGS), is instrumental to the security of supply as it provides an additional reserve in case of strong demand or supply disruptions.
Typically, storage provides 25-30% of gas consumed in the EU during winter; it reduces the need to import additional gas and contributes to absorbing supply shocks.
Reinforced EU rules on gas storage
The EU experienced a prolonged period of volatile and high energy prices in 2021 due to lower-than-usual storage filling levels, among many factors. The increased geopolitical tensions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the beginning of 2022 amplified uncertainties and highlighted the need for well-filled gas storage for future winters.
On 23 March 2022, the Commission published a Communication on security of supply and affordable energy prices (COM/2022/138), together with a proposal for a new regulation on gas storage. The proposed measures aimed to address the root causes of the problem in the gas market and ensure the security of supply at reasonable prices for winter 2022-2023 and beyond.
Key facts on gas storage
Gas Storage Regulations
The proposed measures were adopted in the Gas Storage Regulation (EU/2022/1032) in June 2022. Under these rules, gas storage facilities are considered critical infrastructure and an updated certification process was introduced for all storage operators in the EU to reduce the risks of outside interference. This contributes to reducing the security of supply risks and supports the EU's competitiveness by ensuring that storage facilities are properly filled.
Operators of storage sites should report the filling levels to national authorities and EU countries should monitor the filling levels on a monthly basis and report to the Commission.
Another important and new element is the burden-sharing mechanism. Some EU countries have storage larger than their own national consumption, while others do not have any storage facilities. However, all EU countries benefit from the guaranteed filling levels, so the burden-sharing mechanism makes sure that not only EU countries with storage facilities pay for the security of supply costs of the minimum filling target.
In order to ensure security of gas supply and to comply with the gas storage target of 90% by 1 November each year, the Gas Storage Regulation allows the Commission to set the filling trajectory for each EU country with underground gas storage facilities from 2023 onwards. It defines the intermediate targets for the 1st of February, May, July and September for EU countries with underground storage on their territory and connected to their market area. These targets are based on the proposals made by EU countries in September 2022, based on the filling rates of the previous 5 years, and the Commission’s assessment of the general security of supply situation in the EU and individual EU countries.
The 90% target of filling gas storage for 2024 was reached already on 19 August 2024, well over 2 months ahead of the deadline.
This was on par with 2023, when the 90% target was reached on 18 August. By 1 November 2023, the EU gas storage reached 99%, recording more than 100 bcm in stock at the beginning of the winter. On 1 April 2024, storage levels were at 59% - a record for the close of the winter season.
The Commission published a report on certain aspects concerning gas storage in February 2024, which found that these measures (and the gas demand reduction regulation) not only helped guarantee security of supply, but also contributed to stabilising energy prices, benefitting the competitiveness of the EU economy and reducing bills for citizens from the peaks seen in August 2022 after the Russian invasion.
- 19 August 2024
- 12 April 2024
- November 2023
- March 2023
Report and staff working document on the Gas Storage Regulation
- November 2022
Adoption of the Regulation on intermediary targets for underground gas storage
- June 2022
Adoption of the Gas Storage Regulation (EU/2022/1032)
- February 2022
Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Certification for storage system operators
Gas storage facilities are critical for ensuring the security of gas supply. The mandatory certification of all gas storage system operators was introduced in order to avoid potential risks resulting from non-EU-country influence over storage infrastructure.
The certifying authorities should issue draft certification decisions by 2 January 2024 and notify them to the Commission. The Commission issues an opinion for each draft certification decision submitted by the certifying authorities and publishes it. After taking outmost account of the Commission’s opinion, the certifying authority will issue the certification decision.
10/07/2024 –- Commission Opinion pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - Latvia - Certification of Conexus Baltic Grid as gas storage system operator for UGS Inčukalns
Opinion: English version, French version, German version, Latvian version
12/03/2024 -– Commission opinion pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - Republic of Slovakia - Certification of NAFTA a.s. as gas storage system operator for UGS PZZP Láb
Opinion: English version, French version, German version, Slovak version
16/02/2024 -– Commission opinion pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - Spain - Certification of ENAGÁS TRANSPORTE S.A.U. as gas storage system operator for UGS Serrablo, UGS Gaviota and UGS Yela
Opinion: English version, French version, German version, Spanish version
10/01/2024 -– Commission opinion pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - Romania - Certification of DEPOGAZ Ploiesti S.R.L. as gas storage system operator for UGS Balaceanca, UGS Bilciuresti, UGS Ghercec, UGS Sarmisel and UGS Urziceni
Opinion: English version, French version, German version, Romanian version
10/01/2024 -– Commission opinion pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - Romania - Certification of DEPOMURES S.A. as gas storage system operator for UGS Targu-Mures
Opinion: English version, French version, German version, Romanian version
15/02/2023 -– Commission opinion pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - Belgium - Certification of Fluxys Belgium N.V. as gas storage system operator – C (2023) 1007 final
Opinion: English version, French version, German version, Dutch version
26/05/2023 -– Commission Opinion of 6.5.2023 pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - Croatia - Certification of Podzemno Skladište Plina Ltd. as gas storage system operator – C (2023) 3368 final
Opinion: English version, French version, German version, Croatian version
03/10/2023 -– Commission Opinion of 3.10.2023 pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - the Kingdom of Netherlands - Certification of the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. as gas storage system operator for UGS Grijpskerk – C(2023) 6494 final
Opinion: English version, French version, German version, Dutch version
31/10/2023 – Commission Opinion of 31.10.2023 pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - Republic of Slovakia - Certification of POZAGAS a.s. as gas storage system operator
Opinion: English version, French version, German version, Slovak version
15/11/2023 – Commission Opinion of 15.11.2023 pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - the Kingdom of Netherlands - Certification of EnergyStock B.V. as gas storage system operator for UGS Zuidwending: English version, French version, German version, Dutch version
15/11/2023 – Commission Opinion of 15.11.2023 pursuant to Article 3a of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 - the Kingdom of Netherlands - Certification of the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. as gas storage system operator for UGS Norg: English version, French version, German version, Dutch version
- EU reaches 90% gas storage target 10 weeks ahead of deadline (21/08/2024)
- Commission recommends that Member States continue saving gas to secure supplies and stabilise markets (27/02/2024)
- Intermediate gas storage filling targets for 2024 announced (20/11/2023)
- EU reaches 90% gas storage target ahead of winter (18/08/2023)
- Statement by President von der Leyen on ‘REPowerEU: outlook on EU gas supply in 2023' (12/12/2022)
- Press release - Commission welcomes swift adoption of new gas storage rules (27/6/2022)
- Implementing Regulation on intermediate gas storage filling targets (EU/2023/2633)
- Commission Report on certain aspects concerning gas storage (COM/2024/89)
- Report: The implementation of the EU Gas Storage Regulation (COM/2023/182) and its Staff Working Document (SWD/2023/73)
- Report: How to Avoid Gas Shortages in the European Union in 2023 – Analysis - IEA (December 2022)
- Implementing Regulation on intermediate gas storage filling targets (C/2022/8593)
- Regulation (EU) 2022/1032 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2022 amending Regulations (EU) 2017/1938 and (EC) No 715/2009 with regard to gas storage (PE/24/2022/INIT)
- Proposal for a Regulation on conditions for access to natural gas transmission networks (amending Regulation (EU/2017/1938) and its annex
- REPowerEU: Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy (8/03/2022)
- Security of gas supply regulation (EU/2017/1938)
- Secure gas supplies