Dark clouds ahead: Energy outlooks for winter
marianna.liana…
Mon, 10/05/2026 – 17:05
5 minutes
The energy outlook for Europe heading into winter 2026 is the bleakest since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU should coordinate targeted energy price relief measures, ensuring that money is invested in long-term security and competitiveness while simultaneously responding to Russian hybrid aggression.
Gas storage is at its lowest level since 2022. Energy prices have skyrocketed. Oil is up 68%, diesel 45%, jet fuel 112% and gas 135% from a year ago. On 25 September, the European Commission called for demand reduction for gas and electricity, for the first time since February 2022.
The problem is compounded by the growing frequency of grey-zone attacks against EU energy infrastructure. In early September 2026, Germany suffered several simultaneous strikes affecting electricity substations and coal power plants. On 18 September, President Macron tasked France’s G7 presidency with developing a ‘protection plan’ against Russian attacks. This came amid warnings that Russia will ramp up its hybrid campaigns of sabotage, disruption and interference …read more
