Gas, EU ready for winter: ‘No indication of risks’

Brussels – Gas reserves have reached the predetermined target “ten weeks ahead” of schedule, and, therefore, “we have no indications of particular threats” or risks to the EU’s energy security. Tim Mc Phie, EU Commission spokesman for energy issues, assures that the EU is ready for winter. Member states are working to respect shared goals and strategies, and they are doing it well, so much so that, at present, the EU has secured gas stocks equal to 90 percent of its overall capacity.

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The EU set a binding target of filling gas storage facilities to 90 percent of the capacity by November 1 each year after the Russian war in Ukraine and the deterioration of relations between the EU and Moscow. The EU wanted to avoid risky and dangerous dependencies on Gazprom, the biggest supplier until 2022, and ensure that it does not find itself blackmailed by the Russians. Not surprisingly, the EU executive still stresses how gas storage is “crucial for the security of energy supply in Europe” as it can cover up to a third of the EU’s gas demand in the winter.

For the 2024-2025 winter, the EU looks prepared. In any case, there is no intention of declaring victory too soon. The Commission “will continue to monitor the situation so that gas storage levels remain sufficiently high across the coming months and so that we also maintain our focus on improving energy efficiency and boosting the renewable energy roll-out,” said Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.