Baku:Germany plans to establish a new strategic natural gas reserve with a capacity of 24 billion kilowatt-hours to ensure continued energy supplies during major emergencies, including sabotage and disruptions to critical infrastructure. The project would be funded through an additional levy on gas consumers.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has proposed this initiative as part of an effort to strengthen energy security. The proposal aims to initiate the legislative process, with the draft indicating that the reserve would account for about 10% of Germany's total gas storage capacity. This reserve is designed to compensate for a 30-day shutdown of the country's largest gas import facility.

The project's total cost could reach EUR 3.08 billion over the first 10 years, with the first proposed levy period set to begin on October 1, 2027. The reserve would be used exclusively to address extraordinary crises and would not be available under normal circumstances. It could be accessed only after a gas supply emergency is declared and with authorization from the Federal Network Agency, responsible for managing gas distribution during crises.

The ministry plans to establish the reserve in 2027, contingent upon the approval of the necessary legislative changes. This proposal is part of efforts to reduce reliance on existing legal requirements for gas storage levels and replace them with a reserve mechanism dedicated to emergencies.