The European Commission is asking EU countries to consider measures that could reduce gas and electricity consumption as the bloc enters winter with gas storage around 70% full, below the level recorded at the same point last year. Officials say there is no immediate threat to supply, but higher global demand and disruptions in energy markets could push prices higher during the colder months.
The European Union is preparing for another difficult winter in energy markets, with Brussels urging member states to take steps to curb demand as gas prices remain elevated and storage levels lag behind previous years.
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has asked national governments to consider measures that could reduce gas and electricity consumption for as long as necessary. The request comes as Europe faces tighter global competition for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and continued disruption linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
Europe enters winter with lower gas reserves
EU gas storage facilities are around 70% full, according to data cited by Reuters and Euronews. That is roughly 12 percentage points below the level seen at the same time last year, leaving governments and energy companies with less of a buffer as the heating season approaches.
Gas storage is particularly important during winter because demand rises sharply when households and businesses need more heating. The European Commission says underground storage can typically provide around 25% to 30% of the gas consumed in the EU during winter.
Why Brussels wants countries to cut demand
The Commission's message is focused on reducing pressure on the energy system rather than introducing immediate mandatory restrictions. Jørgensen pointed to measures used during the 2022 energy crisis, including reducing electricity consumption during peak periods and lowering energy use in public buildings.
Other measures discussed include limiting temperatures in public buildings, preventing the use of outdoor heating and switching off unnecessary outdoor lighting. Lower electricity demand can also reduce the amount of gas burned by gas-fired power stations, potentially easing pressure on both gas supplies and electricity prices.
The latest request does not amount to a new EU-wide compulsory energy rationing programme. Instead, governments are being encouraged to use existing flexibility and national contingency plans if market conditions deteriorate.
Global LNG competition is adding pressure
Europe's energy position has changed significantly since the 2022 gas crisis. The bloc has reduced its dependence on Russian gas, expanded LNG import infrastructure and increased the contribution of renewable energy.
But greater reliance on global LNG markets also exposes European buyers to competition from other major importers. Disruptions affecting supplies from the Middle East have added another layer of uncertainty at a time when Europe is trying to rebuild storage.
Reuters reported that European gas prices had risen substantially compared with a year earlier, while analysts have warned that prices could climb further during the winter if supply constraints persist.
The storage target dilemma
Brussels is also trying to avoid a rush by countries and companies to purchase large quantities of gas at the same time. Buying aggressively in a tight global market could itself contribute to higher prices.
The Commission has highlighted flexibility in EU gas-storage rules, allowing countries under certain conditions to adjust how and when they meet storage targets. Jørgensen has indicated that an 80% level could be sufficient under current circumstances rather than governments attempting to reach higher levels at any cost.
The objective is to balance energy security with market conditions: filling storage remains important, but governments also need to avoid intensifying price pressure by competing for scarce supplies simultaneously.
Households and businesses could feel the impact
Higher wholesale gas prices can feed into electricity markets, heating costs and operating expenses for businesses. Energy-intensive industries are particularly exposed because gas and electricity can represent a significant part of production costs.
For households, the immediate concern is the cost of heating during colder months. Governments across Europe are therefore facing a difficult balance between protecting consumers from higher bills and preserving enough energy supplies for the winter.
The European Commission has stressed that the bloc is better prepared than it was during the 2021–2022 energy crisis, thanks to diversified supply sources, additional LNG capacity, renewable energy growth and lower overall gas demand.
What happens next
European governments will continue monitoring storage levels, global LNG availability, weather conditions and developments affecting energy transportation routes. A colder-than-normal winter could increase demand quickly, while additional LNG supply or improved market conditions could reduce some of the pressure.
For now, Brussels is emphasizing preparation rather than emergency rationing. The Commission wants countries to make use of available flexibility, reduce unnecessary energy consumption and continue preparing contingency measures should the market deteriorate.
Conclusion
The EU is entering the 2026–27 winter season with a more diversified energy system than it had during the 2022 crisis, but gas storage remains below last year's level and international energy markets are under pressure.
The latest call from Brussels reflects a precautionary approach: reducing unnecessary demand can help preserve gas supplies, limit pressure on electricity markets and give governments more room to respond if winter conditions become more difficult.
