Wholesale natural gas prices and increasing costs of storage refill
14.1.2025
Question for written answer E-000111/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
András Gyürk (PfE)
The Commission has committed to making the significant reduction of energy prices for European citizens its top priority. Nonetheless, little has been done to mitigate the financial impact on central and eastern European Member States of losing the supply of natural gas transited via Ukraine from 1 January 2025. Furthermore, due to speculative dynamics on the gas market, encouraged as well by the administrative targets enshrined in the Commission’s Gas Storage Regulation, the summer-winter spread has turned negative, making the refill of storage even more expensive.
As a result, wholesale natural gas prices have increased by almost 20 %, and Member States will face elevated costs during the next storage injection season. It is unacceptable for EU citizens and the industry to cover the cost of the Commission’s incorrect policies.
In the light of the above:
- 1.Is the Commission ready to commit to ensuring that all its policies are aligned with the goal of reducing energy prices?
- 2.Does the Commission intend to provide financial and regulatory support for central and eastern European countries impacted by the recent loss of this natural gas supply?
- 3.Does the Commission plan to revise or introduce additional flexibilities in the current Gas Storage Regulation to dampen speculation and restore the economic signal to store gas?
Submitted: 14.1.2025