In light of Germany’s low gas‑storage levels, the CDU/CSU federal parliamentary faction is calling for a stronger role from the state to protect against future supply risks. Although the current supply situation is stable, the faction warns that by the end of this winter the “very low filling levels” in storage will make it “necessary to critically reassess the current framework”. The call comes from an internal paper on gas supply, which the business magazine “Capital” reports on.
The faction’s energy experts express doubt that supply security should be left exclusively to the market-something that Minister of Economics Katarina Reiche decided before the winter. The paper, dated 9 February, states: “When it comes to supply security, we must play it safe”. It stresses that especially geopolitical risks or severe supply shocks could lead to market failure, so caution is essential.
Critics of the current system point out that the government’s minimum‑fill‑level requirements, which have previously helped avoid shortages, might create unintended incentives for market participants. Operators fear that missing these targets could trigger interventions “at any time and at the expense of the public” potentially driving up gas prices.
The faction does not yet specify which tools should replace the existing minimum‑fill levels. It notes that the “subject‑matter level” of the Federal Ministry of Economics is developing various options. One concrete proposal discussed among experts is the creation of a strategic gas reserve, modeled after the oil reserve. The paper says the introduction of such a reserve should be tested to secure against disruptive events “without creating market distortions”. The faction rejects shutting down gas storage for economic reasons and insists that the facilities should be given a forward‑looking purpose.
