Jørgensen on winter energy Prices, storage and reserves

Oct 1

Stefan Grobe introduces Maria Tadeo's exclusive Brussels interview with EU Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen. Jørgensen warns that already high energy prices will probably worsen in winter because he sees no immediate solution to the Hormuz crisis and expects relief to lag even after reopening. He expects pressure on oil, gas, diesel and jet fuel. He recommends national electricity-tax reductions and describes EU-enabled subsidies and social leasing of electric vehicles, distinguishing immediate national action from structural grid and electrification plans. Tadeo asks about his letter on storage and reducing gas and oil demand, ministers' response and possible compulsory cuts. Jørgensen says national choices vary, demand reduction is important and no single solution exists; he describes faster electrification, renewables and efficiency without announcing compulsory cuts. He says gas filling has been coordinated throughout the year to contain bills, defends looser filling requirements and explicitly says the targets will not be scrapped. Asked about winter shortages, he says no security-of-supply crisis is currently expected, while warning that unaffordable fuel can leave households and businesses unable to meet their needs. The presenter and Tadeo describe U.S. pressure for emergency stocks to be released. Jørgensen says discussions involve all IEA members, a further release is likely, individual countries decide whether to participate and EU positions are coordinated through the IEA. He does not announce an agreed release, volume, start date or completed delivery, and does not explicitly adopt Tadeo's characterization of U.S. pressure.

In his Brussels Euronews interview, Dan Jørgensen says EU countries are discussing with all IEA members, including the United States, when to release emergency stocks again. He considers another release likely but says each country decides whether to participate, with EU positions coordinated through the IEA. The presenter and interviewer frame the talks as occurring under U.S. pressure; Jørgensen emphasizes multilateral discussion and national choice without explicitly accepting that framing. He announces no agreed release, volume, start date or completed delivery.