The EU27 energy ministers unanimously adopted the new European Regulation aimed at guaranteeing a certain level of gas reserves before winter and thus contributing to the EU’s energy security, on Monday 27 June, just 3 months after the European Commission presented its proposal.
Its adoption was a priority in the light of the cuts in Russian gas supplies to some Member States.
Previously detailed in these columns (see EUROPE 12956/1), the text retained by the co-legislators obliges Member States to ensure that underground gas storage facilities on their territory are filled to at least 80% of their capacity before the winter of 2022/2023 and to 90% before the following winter periods. It also states that the Union will strive to collectively reach a level of filling 85% of the total capacity of underground gas reserves in 2022.
It also contains provisions to facilitate sharing between Member States in a spirit of solidarity.
In order to avoid potential risks of external influence on the EU’s critical storage infrastructure, the text obliges the competent authorities of the Member States to certify all operators of underground gas storage sites located on their territory.
The Regulation will now be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force the day after its publication.
See the Regulation: https://aeur.eu/f/2ch (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)