This volume represents the bloc’s capacity more than two months before the legal deadline of November 1, when the Member States had to reach that figure.

She added that the EU gas supply reached 90 percent well ahead the deadline.

This will help be safe during winter, she stressed, adding that work is being done in parallel on more diverse energy sources for the future.

The EC agreed in 2022 to oblige themselves to charge stores to 80 percent by November 1, 2022, and to 90 percent by the same date from 2023 on.

Last year, 90 percent was exceeded in early October and, after a particularly warm winter in Europe, stores stood at 56 percent at the end of March 2023, above the 40 percent threshold that was considered critical at the time to be able to recharge without tightening.

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