Germany Orders SEFE to Boost Gas Storage Ahead of Winter

The German government has instructed state-owned energy company SEFE to increase its purchases and storage of natural gas, aiming to strengthen the country's energy supply security ahead of winter. The directive was issued by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche in coordination with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who welcomed increased gas purchasing and storage activity by SEFE.

The move comes as Germany's gas storage facilities are currently around 58% full, a level described as relatively low compared to typical preparations for the winter season. The Economy Ministry emphasized that continued geopolitical risks were a key factor behind activating this measure, describing the additional purchases by SEFE as a further contribution to strengthening the resilience of Germany's gas supply.

The directive instructs SEFE to purchase and store 8 terawatt-hours of gas by December 15. The Economy Ministry stressed that responsibility for storage preparations remains with market participants, while SEFE will independently determine the timing and quantities of its purchases and storage operations within the scope of the directive.