European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced plans to strengthen joint energy purchasing across the European Union as rising gas and diesel prices increase pressure on member states and consumers.
The European Union faces potential gas shortages in winter 2026–2027, with storage at a record seasonal low of 72.4 per cent on October 3. The bloc may need to cut gas demand by 7 per cent, or 14 billion cubic metres, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).