Uniper CEO warns of 'problem next winter' unless gas caverns fill swiftly

Uniper SE

28/05/2026 08:18

FRANKFURT, May 28 (Reuters) - German state-owned utility Uniper UN0k.DE has warned that the country's gas caverns are not being filled fast enough, its CEO said, calling for incentives to avoid a possible shortage in the next winter season.
"Storage levels have been rising since March, but it's still far too slow," Michael Lewis told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Germany's gas caverns are currently filled at 30.64%, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe, compared with 38.65% a year ago
Higher gas prices in the wake of the Iran war have made the storing of gas, which usually starts in spring months, less attractive
"If we don't fill the gas storage facilities quickly, we'll have a problem next winter," Lewis said
Lewis argued in favour of the regulatory model practised in France, whereby prices are guaranteed by the regulator via so-called contracts for difference 
The Austrian model of a strategic gas reserve was only the second-best option for Germany, Lewis said
($1 = 0.8621 euros)

 (Reporting by Christoph Steitz
Editing by Madeline Chambers)
 ((christoph.steitz@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 220 133 647))