Why is RWE calling for a strategic gas reserve in Germany, and what is the current status of gas caverns?

RWE is calling for a government-led strategic gas reserve to ensure Germany's underground gas caverns can be adequately filled ahead of winter, as current storage levels are critically low—standing at just 28.05% full as of May 12, compared with 35.71% in 2025 and 68.68% in 2024. According to RWE finance chief Michael Mueller, the lack of economic incentives to store gas—driven by soaring fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict—has made buying and injecting gas into caverns significantly less attractive, undermining energy resilience.

What does RWE propose as a solution to the declining gas storage levels, and how does it justify this proposal?

RWE proposes a government-led strategic gas reserve as a 'sensible resilience measure' to counteract the current market failure in gas storage. Mueller explicitly tied the low cavern fill rates—28.05% as of May 12—to the absence of incentives for storage, which he attributed to elevated fuel prices stemming from the Middle East conflict; this has reduced commercial motivation to purchase and inject gas, thereby threatening winter supply security and justifying state intervention.

RWE calls for 'strategic' gas reserves as Middle East conflict empties caverns

May 13, 2026

RWE urged Germany to establish a strategic gas reserve, citing low storage levels caused by high prices linked to the Middle East conflict. As of May 12, German gas caverns stood at just 28.05% full, significantly lower than previous years.

reuters

2026-05-13

RWE calls for 'strategic' gas reserves as Middle East conflict empties caverns

RWE calls for 'strategic' gas reserves as Middle East conflict empties caverns

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