"It is better to be prepared than to be sorry": With these words, the European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jorgensen, summarized what the old continent might expect in the worst-case scenario of the Middle East crisis, which involves forced savings, particularly for fuels.
The EU must prepare for a "long-term" energy crisis—Jorgensen stated in an interview with the Financial Times. According to him, the bloc is considering "all possibilities" to address this situation, including fuel rationing and the use of additional oil reserves.
Increasingly, the crisis in the Middle East is heightening fears of a new energy emergency in Europe. Jorgensen emphasized that the most at-risk products are aviation fuel and diesel, while the situation could worsen in the coming weeks. In some countries, measures have already begun: Slovenia has imposed restrictions on fuel supply, while in Asia steps such as limiting car use and shortening the workweek have been taken.
Although Europe is not yet in a full supply crisis, authorities in Brussels are preparing for worse scenarios, warning that energy prices will remain high for a long time. As for Italy, the situation is considered less critical compared to other European countries, thanks to its refining capacity.
However, risks remain regarding price increases and oil supply, as current reserves cover only about one month of consumption. Experts point out that one of Europe's main problems is the decline in refining capacities, making it more difficult to process crude oil into finished products.