The decision comes against the backdrop of the energy crisis triggered by the drastic reduction in Russian gas supplies. New uncertainties caused by the war in Iran add to the urgency. The planned reserve is to hold around 24 terawatt hours (TWh) of gas – equivalent to nearly ten percent of Germany’s total storage capacity of about 248 TWh, the largest in the European Union.
Filling will not happen immediately but gradually over two to three years to avoid price spikes. Initial storage capacity will be booked for the winter of 2026/2027, with actual injection scheduled for summer 2027. The costs of building the reserve will be financed through a special surcharge on the gas price for all consumers.
The measure is driven by the vulnerability of German industry, which long relied on cheap Russian energy. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine forced Berlin to radically realign its energy supply.
Source: 24tv.ua
