EU energy ministers met on the 29th with gas prices the primary focus as Europe
faces a difficult heating season. European benchmark gas futures topped
€100/MWh, the first time since December 2022. EU Energy and Housing Affairs
Commissioner Jorgensen warned of "another energy crisis", saying more than 50
million Europeans may be unable to afford winter heating. A typical gas-heated
household faces an estimated additional energy bill of about €600 for the
November–March heating season, rising to roughly €715 including taxes. Jorgensen
said the squeeze is in some respects worse than in 2022 because high prices now
extend beyond gas to petrol and diesel, and will feed through to transport,
industry and consumer goods, adding pressure to the European economy.
