Main Committee to Decide Monday on Extension of Gas Reserve Until 2029

Background: Second Energy Crisis Within Four Years

The backdrop to the debate is Europe's second energy crisis within four years. According to the information available, the crisis was triggered by Iran's blockade of the sea routes south of Iran in response to a US attack on Iran. As a consequence, prices for gasoline, diesel, and natural gas have risen sharply once again, according to the Ministry.

Despite these conditions, the Ministry expressed confidence on Sunday. Kerosene and diesel inventory levels were at a "sehr erfreulichen" (very pleasing) level, as the Minister put it in so many words. Diesel inventories in May rose by 36 percent compared to April, and kerosene inventories by as much as 56.6 percent.

Inventory Levels Have Risen Significantly

Following the harsh winter of 2025/26, Austria's gas storage facilities are once again 54 percent full. The Minister sees Austria "auf einem guten Weg" (on a good path) with regard to storage levels. The Ministry currently does not expect any shortages of diesel or kerosene in Austria.

As early as mid-April, Hattmannsdorfer had forecast shortages of diesel and kerosene for May, which, according to the information now available, did not materialize. Against the backdrop of the Iran crisis, Hattmannsdorfer had warned at the time while emphasizing that the supply situation had to be kept under review.

Industry Ramps Up Kerosene Production

According to Shell, European refineries contributed to easing the kerosene situation by adjusting their production following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in order to produce as much kerosene (Jet A-1) as possible. Shell manager Frans Everts said in April in Rotterdam: "Ganz klar: Jede Raffinerie in Europa läuft im sogenannten 'Max-Jet-Mode'". Industry is thus responding directly to the disruptions on the international energy market.

Hattmannsdorfer described security of supply in so many words as "eine staatspolitische Aufgabe über Parteigrenzen hinweg". Using the argument of cross-party responsibility, he sought to win over the FPÖ and the Greens to vote in favor. Whether the necessary two-thirds majority will materialize in the Main Committee remains open.

Search for a Two-Thirds Majority

The draft resolution provides for continuing the existing reserve, thereby ensuring the state's capacity to respond to possible supply bottlenecks over the coming years. Observers see the draft as a signal to the public that the government has drawn lessons from the 2022 energy crisis.

Exactly when the vote in the Main Committee will take place and whether there will be any substantive changes was not known by editorial deadline. Should the resolution not pass on Monday, a special session or a postponement would be expected.

Regardless of the outcome, the strategic reserve remains operationally ready for deployment, according to the Ministry. Fill levels at the gas storage facilities and fuel depots will continue to be monitored closely, according to the information available, so that action can be taken if necessary.