EU Warns of Prolonged Energy Shock Amid Middle East War
BRUSSELS, April 3 — The European Union is preparing for a prolonged energy crisis triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict, with contingency plans including fuel rationing and the release of strategic reserves under consideration, Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen told the Financial Times.
Jorgensen said the bloc is assessing “all possibilities” as it braces for sustained disruption, warning that energy prices are likely to remain elevated for an extended period. “This will be a long crisis energy prices will be higher for a very long time,” he said in the interview.
He added that for certain critical energy products, market conditions could deteriorate further in the coming weeks, underscoring concerns about supply constraints and volatility linked to the conflict.
The European Union has previously relied on coordinated measures such as strategic stock releases and demand reduction during periods of supply stress. Officials are now evaluating whether similar or more stringent interventions may be required if the crisis deepens.
The developments come as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt global energy flows, raising risks for import-dependent economies and adding pressure to inflation across the region.
