50 million EU citizens enduring energy poverty
Jerome Hughes
Press TV, Brussels
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre says 50 million people in the EU are suffering the effects of so-called energy poverty.
It means households are having to prioritize food over heat. EU energy ministers have been meeting in Brussels to assess the crisis.
But that means almost a third of EU governments have not taken any action to protect citizens. Gas and electricity prices are out of control. Civil society organisations are forecasting that energy poverty will be hitting 80 million people in the EU before winter is over.
The EU's dysfunctional energy market is currently in a state of flux. The bloc is heavily dependent on Russia's gas. The European Commission confirms Moscow is fulfilling all of its supply contracts. However, energy storage is a problem in the EU. Supplies were depleted last winter due to unusually cold weather. Then there was huge demand when EU nations began lifting COVID-19 restrictions.
Energy experts say the EU could benefit if it improved relations with Russia. The 27-county bloc could also push back against US foreign policy so that new supply chains could be utilized, for example with respect to Iran which has enormous energy reserves.
EU leaders are divided over how to deal with the crisis but it's clear there are no quick fixes. The matter will be high on their agenda when they meet here in just under two week's time for a summit on the 16th of December.
Norway refuses to face Israel in 2026 World Cup qualifier over Gaza atrocities
EU says will lift sanctions on Syria when minorities are protected
Norway divests from Israel’s largest telecoms firm over settlement expansion
Yemeni armed forces down F-18 fighter jet, repel US-UK attack: spokesman
Iran warns against US-Israeli plot to weaken Muslims, dominate region
VIDEO | Public uproar in US against Israeli regime
‘Ghost town’: 70% of Jabalia buildings destroyed by Israel
Mother’s Day: Sareh Javanmardi’s inspiring journey as Paralympic champion and mother
Russia downs over 40 Ukrainian drones as Putin vows 'destruction' on Kiev
VIDEO | Yemen: A bone in Israeli neck
D-8’s role in Iran’s economy after Cairo summit
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
