BRUSSELS — European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has issued an urgent call to EU member states to curb gas and electricity consumption, warning that the bloc faces a precarious winter as energy storage levels sit at “exceptionally low” points.
In a letter addressed to government leaders, obtained by Euronews, Jørgensen stated that the energy situation has failed to improve since he first issued warnings in March. With storage facilities currently only 70% full—a figure roughly 12 percentage points lower than at this time last year—the EU is bracing for a potential supply crunch.
The instability stems from a combination of persistent geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East and intensified competition from Asia for liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes. Since the February bombing of Iranian targets by the United States and Israel, the Dutch TTF—Europe’s benchmark for gas prices—has climbed by €40 per MWh, settling at around €72 per MWh. Analysts caution that, should global supply chains tighten further or Norwegian maintenance projects hit snags, prices could eclipse the €100/MWh threshold during the peak of winter.
Jørgensen is now urging capitals to revive the austerity measures that proved effective during the 2022 energy crisis. Recommended actions include curbing electricity usage during peak hours, utilizing smart meters to shift consumer demand, limiting temperatures in public buildings, and restricting outdoor lighting and heating.
“I invite you to consider taking or continuing to take measures that can sustain injections or reduce gas and electricity demand for as long as necessary,” Jørgensen wrote. While he stopped short of making these measures mandatory, he reminded ministers that national emergency plans remain on the table should conditions deteriorate, including the potential for fuel-switching at power plants.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Commissioner sought to temper fears of an immediate systemic failure. He explicitly advised against a desperate “storage rush,” suggesting that member states aim for an 80% filling target rather than the standard 90% goal. The rationale is strategic: by avoiding an aggressive race to fill storage, countries can spread their purchasing over a longer period, thereby avoiding further market panic and price spikes.
“Although EU gas storage is exceptionally low and the situation remains challenging, there are currently no immediate risks to security of supply,” the letter assured.
However, the tone from Brussels has shifted. While previous communications focused primarily on protecting households from soaring energy bills, the Commission is now characterizing the situation as a hybrid of a price crisis and a genuine supply challenge. With consumption now directly dictating the availability of resources, Brussels is signaling that Europe’s energy resilience is being tested in ways not seen since the initial fallout of the invasion of Ukraine. For now, the strategy is to manage demand cautiously to ensure the lights stay on without bankrupting the continent.
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