The German regulator wants to relax the obligation to fill gas stocks

In 2022, the European Commission introduced a requirement to fill gas storage facilities to 90% of their capacity before 1 November^. This obligation, which was intended to avoid a disruption of the gas supply at the time of the crisis, continues even though the risk of a shortage has, in the opinion of the network operators, disappeared. It now leads to higher prices in spring and autumn than in winter, sending a signal to market operators and consumers that seems anti-economic. Since the beginning of the year, the German regulator has been considering the introduction of an auction system that would make it possible to fill stocks at the appropriate level while avoiding distorting market prices. However, it points out that consideration of an amendment to the regulations on gas storage can only be carried out at the European level.