Europe completes its first group gas purchase for 77 customers combined

Despite the fall in gas prices – to their lowest level since the summer of 2021 – and storage filled to 60% on average in the EU, the Commission's joint purchasing platform demonstrated on Tuesday that it met a need. "I am really happy to announce the positive reaction we have had from the market," said Vice-President Maros Sefcovic, speaking of a "remarkable success".

No fewer than 25 international suppliers - whose names have not been released - responded to the first call for tenders launched last week, which included 77 companies. They propose to deliver to the applicants 13.4 billion m3 of gas (almost a quarter of the annual consumption of the France), more than the 11.6 billion expected. The tenders finally selected represent 10.9 billion m3 but should make it possible to meet some of the needs of the most fragile countries, in particular Ukraine and Moldova, which are involved in these group purchases. During this first call for tenders, respectively 100% and 80% of the quantities requested by these two countries were covered.

Four more calls for tenders by the end of the year

Contract negotiations, in which the Commission will not take part, will now start between buyers and sellers. Four more calls for tenders are scheduled by the end of the year. The EU, which decided last year to cut itself off from Russian gas, must diversify its supplies at a forced pace. To avoid a surge in prices linked to possible supply disruptions, Member States are obliged to have 90% full storage by the beginning of next winter.