State-owned energy firm SEFE must increase its natural gas reserves by Dec. 15 to protect the country's energy supply from geopolitical risks. The German government ordered the procurement and storage of 8 terawatt-hours of gas to address unusually low inventories ahead of the winter heating season, the company said in an emailed statement.

The Economy Ministry will also establish a permanent strategic gas reserve starting in 2027 to increase long-term energy resilience. A ministry spokesperson described the current directive to SEFE as an important measure to stabilize the national supply chain during the upcoming cold weather period.