EU Energy Chief Urges Demand Cuts as Winter Gas Prices Soar Amid Geopolitical Tensions
European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has urged EU member states to implement voluntary measures to reduce gas and electricity demand, warning that soaring prices driven by Middle East conflicts and Asian competition for LNG could lead to shortages. While storage levels are 12 percentage points below last year, the Commission advises against panic buying, suggesting an 80% fill target is sufficient. Jørgensen links the price crisis to a potential supply crisis, noting that 50 million Europeans may face choices between heating and food, a situation he warns could fuel far-right political gains.