Written question – Extending mandatory filling of gas storage facilities and impact on national energy sovereignty – E-003021/2025

Question for written answer  E-003021/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Georg Mayer (PfE), Harald Vilimsky (PfE)

The planned amendment to Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 provides for the obligation to fill gas storage facilities to be extended beyond 2025 until the end of 2027 and for the Commission to be given additional implementing and control powers.

• 1.What specific criteria are to be used to determine whether there are unfavourable market conditions that warrant deviating from the filling target, and who will decide on approving such deviations?
• 2.What does the Commission think about what is a contradictory situation in that, on the one hand, security of supply is used as an argument for mandatory filling quantities, but, on the other, fixed filling rates are a constraint on market operators’ flexibility?
• 3.How will the Commission make sure that decision-making power on strategic energy issues and on specific storage filling arrangements remains with Member States and that specific national circumstances are taken into account?

Submitted: 21.7.2025