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Europe must prepare for 'long-lasting' energy shock, EU energy commissioner tells FT

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 3, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 3, 2026

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Europe must prepare for 'long-lasting' energy shock, EU energy commissioner tells FT
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April 3 (Reuters) - The EU is assessing "all possibilities" including fuel rationing and releasing more oil from emergency reserves as it braces for a "long-lasting" energy shock from the Middle East

Europe Braces for Long-Lasting Energy Shock Amid Middle East Conflict

EU Response to Energy Crisis Triggered by Middle East War

Assessment of Potential Measures

Fuel Rationing and Emergency Oil Reserves

April 3 (Reuters) - The EU is assessing "all possibilities" including fuel rationing and releasing more oil from emergency reserves as it braces for a "long-lasting" energy shock from the Middle East war, the Financial Times reported on Friday in an interview with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen.

Outlook on Energy Prices and Supply

Expectations for Prolonged Crisis

Impact on Critical Products

"This will be a long crisis ... energy prices will be higher for a very long time," Dan Jorgensen told the FT, saying that for some more "critical" products "we expect it to be even worse in the weeks to come".

(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

Key Takeaways

  • EU preparing for prolonged high energy prices—even if peace is reached, prices won’t revert soon (apnews.com)
  • Brussels exploring demand‑reduction tactics such as travel cuts, lower speed limits, electricity tax cuts, and possible fuel rationing (brusselstimes.com)
  • Coordination across member states urged—with measures like strategic reserve releases, shared tools, and solidarity to shield citizens and businesses (yahoo.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Europe facing a long-lasting energy shock?
The EU is preparing for an energy shock due to the ongoing Middle East war, which is expected to impact supply and prices.
What measures is the EU considering to address the energy crisis?
The EU is assessing options like fuel rationing and releasing more oil from emergency reserves.
How long does the EU expect higher energy prices to last?
According to the EU energy commissioner, higher energy prices may persist for a very long time.
Who provided the statement regarding Europe's energy situation?
Dan Jorgensen, the EU Energy Commissioner, made the statements in an interview with the Financial Times.

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