Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen, in a written answer to a parliamentary question on 12 June 2026, outlined the EU's strategy to rebuild gas stocks ahead of winter 2026-2027, aiming to mitigate price volatility and ensure affordable gas for businesses and households. The answer, responding to a question by Nadine Morano (PPE, France), comes amid a sharp rise in gas prices to EUR 54 per MWh — an increase of almost 80% since the start of the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — and with European gas reserves at less than 25% full at the tail end of winter.
The Commission's approach focuses on adapting to the narrowed summer-winter price spread that discourages gas injections. On 20 March 2026, Jørgensen invited Member States to use flexibilities from the EU Gas Storage Regulation to lower the storage target from 90% to 80%, reducing overall storage needs by 10 billion cubic meters while still ensuring sufficient supply for winter. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) confirmed that EU infrastructure can achieve 80% filling by November 2026 even with limited liquefied natural gas supply, provided injections start early to avoid an end-of-summer rush. The Commission also presented the AccelerateEU Communication on 22 April 2026, outlining immediate actions to protect households and industry from high energy prices, and is facilitating coordination of national storage filling through regular Gas Coordination Group meetings. Additionally, the Commission stands ready to assess a further increase of the permitted deviation threshold by up to 5% under the updated Storage Regulation.
The answer provides concrete proposals — a lowered storage target, early injection timeline, and potential further flexibility — rather than vague commitments. Policy orientation is toward proactive, coordinated EU action to manage energy security risks while limiting price spikes. Institutional follow-up includes continued Gas Coordination Group meetings and a possible amendment to the Storage Regulation, with implementation expected ahead of winter 2026-2027.
Stakeholder impact: EU households and energy-intensive industries benefit from reduced price volatility and ensured supply, but may face higher costs if early injections raise summer prices. EU gas storage operators and transmission system operators gain regulatory flexibility but face operational challenges from earlier injection schedules. National regulators must coordinate storage policies, balancing EU targets with domestic needs. EU taxpayers may indirectly bear costs if storage incentives require public support.