European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen has called on EU member states to accelerate early gas storage efforts, urging capitals to begin refilling reserves sooner than usual to avoid price volatility and supply stress later in the year. In a letter dated March 20 and seen by Euronews, the Commissioner warned that disruptions linked to delayed Qatari LNG shipments, triggered by the United States and Israel’s military actions against Iran, could impact storage injections. While he noted that the bloc’s energy security remains relatively protected due to its limited dependence on Qatari imports and cargoes routed through the Strait of Hormuz, the situation has exposed vulnerabilities tied to global market reliance. Countries such as Belgium, Italy and Poland face heightened risks, as QatarEnergy CEO Saad Sherida al-Kaabi confirmed on March 19 that the company is no longer able to meet contractual production obligations in full.
The appeal for early gas storage comes against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions and heightened market volatility. Prices have risen sharply following US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, a move that intensified uncertainty in global energy markets. Iran, in response, threatened additional energy infrastructure and desalination plants across the Gulf region. On 23rd March 2026, Trump announced he would refrain from targeting energy infrastructure for five days. Jørgensen emphasized the importance of coordinated preparation, stating, We are still in the early stages of the storage injection season, but it is essential that we start our preparations in time for next winter and in a coordinated manner, as the EU seeks to strengthen early gas storage planning.
The European Commission has introduced greater flexibility in storage rules to support this effort. Member states are now permitted to distribute refilling targets over an extended timeframe and adapt them to changing market conditions. Jørgensen stated in his letter, This flexibility can help reduce the gas demand at times when the supply is tense and ease the pressure on gas prices in Europe. We have also learned the pitfalls of uncoordinated action. Despite ongoing challenges, the Commission maintains that the EU is much better prepared than in 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a severe supply shock and price surge. Current regulations require storage facilities to reach 90% capacity by 1st November, although the Commission is encouraging countries to aim for 80% earlier in the season, with allowances for reductions to 75% or even 70% under difficult conditions.
Storage levels currently stand at around 30%, below last year’s figures and significantly under the 10-year average of 58%. Against this backdrop, Ursula von der Leyen has outlined additional measures to contain rising electricity costs, following discussions among EU leaders in Brussels on 19th March 2026. These include reforms targeting taxation, grid efficiency, and carbon costs, alongside potential adjustments to the Emissions Trading System (ETS). Governments across the bloc are simultaneously deploying tax relief, subsidies, and market interventions to shield consumers and businesses, as early gas storage strategies remain central to stabilising Europe’s energy outlook.
