European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has urged EU countries to begin refilling gas reserves earlier than usual to prevent last-minute price spikes, according to a letter seen by Euronews. The recommendation follows supply disruptions caused by delays in Qatari LNG shipments after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran.
“Goal is to avoid panic buying while ensuring that EU countries’ gas storage is replenished by next winter,” Jørgensen wrote, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated approach. He also reminded member states that they can refill below the 90% storage target set by law in 2022, advising some to aim for 80% instead in case of difficult conditions.
The EU’s reliance on Qatari LNG, which passes through the Strait of Hormuz, has exposed certain countries to supply risks. Belgium, Italy, and Poland were highlighted as particularly vulnerable, with QatarEnergy’s CEO Saad Sherida al-Kaabi noting that contractual obligations could no longer be fully met. Iran responded to regional tensions by threatening energy and desalination infrastructure in Gulf states, while U.S. President Donald Trump said he would refrain from striking energy targets for five days.
Jørgensen stressed that EU gas storage remains “relatively protected” overall, but early preparations are essential. He noted that spreading refilling targets over a longer period and adjusting them to market conditions would help reduce demand during tense periods and ease pressure on prices.
EU storage levels are currently around 30% full, below last year’s level and well under the 10-year average of 58%. Germany’s inventories stood at roughly 21.6% in late February, with France similarly low. The European Commission is encouraging member states to use flexible refilling rules to ensure markets remain stable.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a series of “temporary, tailored and targeted” measures to address rising electricity costs. These include tax reductions on electricity, caps on retailer margins, and new rules to improve grid efficiency. Von der Leyen also highlighted the Emissions Trading System as a key tool that has reduced gas consumption and strengthened EU energy resilience.
National governments are taking additional steps to limit the impact of higher energy prices. Italy and Austria have implemented tax relief measures while controlling company profits, Greece has extended fuel and grocery price caps, and Spain has introduced broad emergency packages including subsidies, tax cuts, and structural reforms to decouple gas prices from electricity. Slovakia has focused on protecting domestic supply by restricting fuel exports.
The European Commission’s efforts aim to coordinate member states’ actions, prevent panic buying, and ensure that gas storage levels are sufficient to meet winter demand, despite ongoing disruptions in the Middle East energy market.
