The Netherlands plans to abolish the mandatory natural gas reserve target, claiming the current EU system distorts the market.

(1) After spending nearly 1 billion euros to replenish its domestic natural gas reserves, the Netherlands hopes to abolish mandatory natural gas storage targets. The Dutch side believes that the current EU system forces governments to take on tasks that should be handled by the market. (2) Dutch Climate Minister Rob Jetten stated in a letter to parliament on Friday that these regulations are increasingly in conflict with market principles. (3) Due to declining consumption and large-scale purchases by other European governments, the economic benefits of gas storage have already been distorted. (4) Currently, the filling rate of Europe's gas storage facilities is 70%, below the seasonal norm of 86%; the situation in the Netherlands is even more severe, with storage facilities just over 56% full. (5) The Netherlands believes that the current system also fails to take into account its role as a regional gas hub. Dutch storage facilities help safeguard supply security for neighboring countries, but the government is unable to charge other EU member states for the costs of keeping these facilities filled.