Germany orders emergency natural gas purchases for winter security

Germany's federal economic minister, Katherina Reiche, has ordered the state-owned energy company Sefe to purchase and store eight terawatt-hours of natural gas by December 15 to ensure winter supply security.

As of October 6, 2026, German gas storage levels stand at 59.04 percent. This figure is notably lower than previous years and below the European average of 72.67 percent. Despite these levels, Minister Reiche stated that current reserves exceed the consumption of even the coldest years on record and does not foresee an immediate supply shortage. However, citing geopolitical risks such as the Iran conflict and its impact on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, she described the move as a necessary precaution, stating, “it is sensible, figuratively speaking, to hold up suspenders alongside a belt.”

In addition to Sefe, the state-owned importer Uniper is also storing additional quantities. The government is also utilizing long-term options to mitigate risks. The intervention has faced criticism from opposition politicians, such as Michael Kellner of the Green Party, who argued the timing is too late and will result in significantly higher costs compared to spring market prices.