German minister plans market incentives to boost gas storage, source says (updated)

Uniper SE

16/09/2026 08:10

Adds comments in paragraph 8
BERLIN, Sept 16 (Reuters) - German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche plans to use market incentives to encourage traders to keep more gas available this winter, while avoiding direct state gas purchases, amid concerns over supply, a government source told Reuters.
A planned autumn tender for Long Term Options, or LTOs, will be increased by an as yet undetermined volume of gas, the source said.
LTOs allow Trading Hub Europe, Germany's nationwide gas market coordinator, to secure gas deliveries from traders for potential future use.
The government has also agreed with state-owned energy companies Uniper UN0k.DE and SEFE that they will make fuller use of their storage capabilities, the source said.
Politico reported that Reiche's ministry aimed to decide on the matter by September 21.
Germany's gas storage sites were around 53% full in early September, the lowest level for the time of year since records began 15 years ago, according to storage association INES.
INES warned last week that an exceptionally cold winter could lead to supply shortfalls as early as January.
SEFE said it would be issuing a statement shortly, Uniper declined to comment.

 (Reporting by Holger Hansen; additional reporting by Christoph Steitz; writing by Rachel More; editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
 ((rachel.more@thomsonreuters.com))