The European Commission (via Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen) has urged EU member states to implement or continue targeted measures to reduce gas and electricity demand in the coming months, primarily to help contain high and volatile prices amid constrained global supply.

In a letter dated around September 25 (seen by POLITICO and other outlets), Jørgensen wrote that “in the context of constrained global supply and high price volatility, demand reduction can be an effective tool to contain prices.”

He invited ministers to take measures reducing demand for gas and electricity “for as long as necessary.” He described the situation as challenging but stated there are “currently no immediate risks to security of supply.”

Drivers: Gas storage levels in the EU are exceptionally and historically low (reports cite around 68- 70% of capacity, well below typical levels for the period and roughly 12 percentage points under the prior year). Contributing factors include disruptions from conflict involving Iran and Middle East affecting global gas and LNG flows, competition for LNG from Asia, high prices making storage refills costly, and an exceptionally hot and dry summer that increased electricity demand (and thus gas use for power generation).

Storage targets: The usual EU target is 90% fill by early November, but flexibility allows aiming for around 80% this year to avoid panic buying and ease price pressure.

Nature of the call: It emphasizes voluntary, well- planned measures drawing lessons from the 2022 energy crisis (post- Ukraine invasion). It is not a mandatory “lockdown,” rationing order, or new binding EU-wide quota. Suggested examples include limiting temperatures in public buildings, restricting outdoor heating, switching off unnecessary public lighting at night, reducing electricity use in peak hours (which can cut gas burn at marginal power plants), greater use of smart meters/demand flexibility, and preparing contingency tools if needed. Price- support measures should be well- targeted and temporary to avoid boosting demand.

Multiple European outlets (Euronews, national papers, etc.) corroborated the letter’s content in the days after POLITICO’s report.

The framing as an “energy lockdown” appears in some commentary or headlines but overstates the Commission’s language, which stresses preparation, voluntary action, and price containment rather than enforced austerity or supply cuts. Europe is described as better prepared than in 2021- 22 thanks to more LNG capacity, renewables, and prior demand reductions, though still exposed due to fossil fuel import dependence.

This reflects ongoing efforts to manage winter risks without declaring an emergency. Developments could shift with weather, LNG availability, or further geopolitical changes.

Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen sent a letter to national energy ministers shortly before the informal meeting of EU Energy Ministers (Informal Energy Council) held in Dublin on 28- 29 September 2026, under Ireland’s EU Presidency and chaired by Irish Minister Darragh O’Brien.

In the letter, he described EU gas storage levels as “exceptionally low” for the time of year and the overall situation as remaining difficult. He reiterated that there are “currently no immediate risks to security of supply,” while urging ministers to examine (or continue) measures that can reduce gas and electricity consumption and support storage injections “for as long as necessary.” This aligns with the broader call for voluntary, targeted demand-reduction steps to help contain high and volatile prices amid constrained global supply.

Multiple reports and data sources place EU gas storage at around 70% (range of roughly 68- 71% depending on the exact snapshot and source, such as Gas Infrastructure Europe, AGSI and others) toward the end of September 2026. This is approximately 12 percentage points below the level at the same point the previous year and well below the five- year seasonal average (often cited in the mid- to- high 80s percent range for late September).

Fill levels vary significantly by country (e.g., higher in France and Italy, lower in Germany and some others). The Commission has already granted flexibility on the usual 90% fill target by early November, allowing countries to aim closer to 80% (or lower under difficult conditions) to avoid driving prices higher through simultaneous buying.

The Dublin informal meeting focused on energy affordability, innovation/market issues, and energy security and cooperation (including with partner countries).

It was not expected to produce binding decisions but to coordinate approaches ahead of the formal Energy Council later in the autumn. Jørgensen has publicly noted the approaching tough winter on prices while emphasizing longer- term direction toward more clean domestic energy, efficiency, interconnections, and electrification.

Germany’s natural gas storage (as of late September 2026)

Current level (gas day 27 September 2026): Approximately 57.6- 57.9% full (most precise reported figures center on 57.63%).

This corresponds to roughly 142- 143 TWh of working gas in storage (out of a total working capacity of about 247 TWh). Data come from the AGSI and platform of Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), as published by the Bundesnetzagentur and tracking sites.

Levels have been rising slowly during the injection season (net daily gains of around +0.2- 0.3 percentage points recently) but remain well below typical seasonal norms.

Comparison: 2025 vs 2026 (same period in late September)

Year	Fill level (late September)	Difference vs 2026
2026	~57.6–57.9%	—
2025	~76.6%	~19 percentage points higher

• On the equivalent gas day in 2025, German storage stood at approximately 76.6%.
• 2026 is therefore about 19 percentage points lower.

For additional context:

• September 2024 levels were much higher (around 95- 96%).
• Germany’s current fill rate is also significantly below the EU average (~71%) and historical multi-year averages for late September (often in the mid- to- high 80s percent range).

These low levels reflect a combination of a colder previous winter (deeper drawdowns), high gas prices limiting injections, and market/geopolitical factors affecting LNG and pipeline supplies. German authorities and industry (e.g., VNG) have stated that supply security is still viewed as stable due to diversified imports and LNG capacity, though the buffer heading into winter is thinner than in recent years. Figures update daily via AGSI and other, Bundesnetzagentur.