Cabinet plans different approach to gas storage from 2028
Energy companies would once again have to fill seasonal stocks themselves, while the state keeps a limited emergency reserve.
The cabinet wants to return responsibility for filling Dutch seasonal gas storage facilities to market participants from 2028. The government would focus primarily on security of supply and a strategic reserve for emergencies.
The proposed course is a new step in the debate over the government’s role in the gas market. Under normal circumstances, energy companies and traders fill gas storage facilities when this is commercially attractive. The cabinet wants to restore that principle after the government has had to step in more often in recent years.
The reason is that the Netherlands has relatively large storage capacity compared with domestic gas consumption. European filling targets are partly based on storage capacity. As a result, the Netherlands may face a greater task than countries with less storage, even if domestic demand is lower.
The government will remain involved for the coming winter. A letter to the Lower House states that Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN) may store up to 80 terawatt-hours if market participants do not fill enough. In addition, a temporary emergency stock of 5 terawatt-hours is planned in the storage facility at Alkmaar. That reserve may only be used in the event of physical shortages and a formal gas crisis.
The cabinet previously adjusted the European filling target for the Netherlands to 64 per cent, or approximately 93 terawatt-hours. According to the Dutch government, this is sufficient in an average winter, partly thanks to LNG imports and pipelines from various countries. That figure concerns the European target and exists alongside national measures for security of supply.
The proposed change does not mean that the state will no longer have a role. The government must still determine how a strategic reserve will be organised, who will pay for it and when gas may be released. European rules on stock levels and solidarity between member states will also remain in force.
For energy companies, the main change concerns commercial risk. If storage is not profitable in summer, companies will still have to decide whether they want to buy gas to meet their winter obligations. The effect on consumers’ bills cannot yet be established. It will depend on market prices, levies, subsidies and the final legislation.
The Lower House has requested further information on security of supply during a cold winter and disruptions to LNG or pipeline supplies. This shifts the debate from how much gas can be stored at most to which risks the state should cover collectively and which risks belong to the market.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Market participants normally fill seasonal storage facilities when this is commercially attractive.
- The government has given EBN room to step in if the market does not fill enough.
- The Netherlands is receiving a temporary emergency stock for physical gas shortages.
- The financial consequences of the new division of roles have not yet been established.
Left
Arguments Let the state retain a strong role to protect households, care institutions and businesses from price shocks and supply risks.
Values Affordability, public control and protection of vulnerable consumers.
Consequences Greater public security can mitigate crises, but entails costs and risks for taxpayers.
Centre
Arguments Make a clear distinction between commercial seasonal storage and a limited strategic reserve, with independent stress tests and transparent costs.
Values Efficiency, continuity and predictable regulation.
Consequences A clear division of responsibilities can combine market forces and security, but requires complex European and national rules.
Right
Arguments Make commercial parties that sell gas to customers responsible for their own stocks and prevent taxpayers from bearing market participants’ losses.
Values Market forces, responsibility and budgetary discipline.
Consequences The burden on the government may fall, but energy companies may pass on risks or hold less stock when margins are low.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The proposed division of roles and the figures concerning the European target, EBN and the emergency stock were checked against government sources. Consequences for prices and businesses are presented as uncertain.
- confirmed The cabinet wants to place more responsibility for seasonal storage with market participants from 2028. — Cabinet policy as described in current reporting and parliamentary documents on strategic gas policy. source
- confirmed EBN may fill a maximum of 80 TWh for the 2026–2027 storage year if the market falls short. — Parliamentary letter on security of supply. source
- confirmed A temporary emergency stock of 5 TWh will be established at PGI Alkmaar. — The cabinet’s answers to parliamentary questions. source
- confirmed The European filling target for the Netherlands has been adjusted to 64 per cent, or approximately 93 TWh. — Dutch government, news release of 11 September 2026. source
- uncertain Consumers will certainly notice the policy change immediately in their gas bills. — The final distribution of costs and market effects have not yet been established; the text does not make this claim. source
Editor's note
The current filling targets, EBN task and emergency stock can be found in parliamentary documents and a cabinet announcement. The precise financial consequences for energy companies and consumers will only follow from the further elaboration.Sources
- Voorzienings- en leveringszekerheid energie — Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal
- Nederland volgt oproep Europese Commissie en verlaagt vuldoel wintervoorraad gas — Rijksoverheid
- De ontbrekende zekerheid over de Nederlandse gasvoorziening — Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal
- Overheid past beleid gasvoorraden aan: focus op weerbaarheid — Blik op nieuws
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