German minister plans market incentives to boost gas storage, source says

German Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche visits Hensoldt AG, a defence and security technology company, in Fuerstenfeldbruck, Germany, July 24, 2026. REUTERS

BERLIN, Sept 16 (Reuters) – German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche plans to use market incentives to ​encourage traders to keep more gas available ‌this winter, while avoiding direct state gas purchases, amid concerns over supply, a government source ​told Reuters.

• A planned autumn tender for ​Long Term Options, or LTOs, will be ⁠increased by an as yet undetermined ​volume of gas, the source said.
• LTOs allow Trading ​Hub Europe, Germany’s nationwide gas market coordinator, to secure gas deliveries from traders for potential future ​use.
• The government has also agreed with state-owned ​energy companies Uniper and SEFE that they will make ‌fuller ⁠use of their storage capabilities, the source said.
• Politico reported that Reiche’s ministry aimed to decide on the matter by September ​21.
• Germany’s gas storage ​sites ⁠were around 53% full in early September, the lowest level for ​the time of year since records ​began ⁠15 years ago, according to storage association INES.
• INES warned last week that an exceptionally ⁠cold ​winter could lead to ​supply shortfalls as early as January.

Reporting by Holger Hansen, writing ​by Rachel More, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien