Europe faces energy crisis with low gas reserves and fuel deficits

energy crisis fuel shortages natural gas reserves aviation fuel deficit European energy market

Europe is facing significant energy vulnerabilities as it approaches the cold season. Analysts from Energy Aspects project a daily deficit of approximately 81 million liters of aviation fuel in the fourth quarter. This shortage is compounded by low reserves, with independent stocks in the Amsterdam–Rotterdam–Antwerp hub hitting a seven-year low in early September.

Natural gas storage levels across the EU are currently at 69%, notably lower than the five-year average of 85%. Germany and the Netherlands, which hold 35% of EU storage capacity, are among the countries lagging in replenishing reserves. Morgan Stanley warns that gas prices could reach 100 euros per megawatt depending on weather conditions.

In Romania, the Asociația Energia Inteligentă (AEI) warns of a potential 'policrisis' involving 12 different manifestations, including rising electricity and gas prices, inflation, and social instability. Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, the government has announced measures to reintroduce fuel price regulation in October 2026 and reduce the diesel excise tax to the EU minimum to mitigate economic pressure.

Fuel markets remain volatile. In Poland, diesel prices are projected to rise, potentially exceeding 9 PLN per liter. Additionally, new EU methane emission regulations are expected to drive up gasoline and diesel prices by 24% and 16%, respectively, by January 2027.

Entities

Alena Schillerová · Asociația Energia Inteligentă · BM Reflex · Energy Aspects · European Commission · European Union · GUS · Germany · Grupa Azoty · Główny Urząd Statystyczny · Ministerstwo Finansów · Morgan Stanley

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] In the EU, gasoline prices are 24% higher and diesel prices are 38% higher than a year ago. www.radiocluj.ro · www.romania-actualitati.ro · national.ro
[● 6 SOURCES] European gas benchmark prices reached 81 euros per megawatt. www.radiocluj.ro · www.romania-actualitati.ro · www.thenewspaper.gr · www.zarpanews.gr · www.money.ro · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Gas prices in Europe have increased by 150% compared to one year ago. www.radiocluj.ro · www.romania-actualitati.ro · www.thenewspaper.gr · www.zarpanews.gr · www.money.ro
[DISPUTED] European gas storage levels are at 69%, compared to a five-year seasonal average of 85%. www.radiocluj.ro · www.romania-actualitati.ro · www.thenewspaper.gr · www.money.ro · www.ieidiseis.gr · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Oil prices have exceeded 100 dollars per barrel. www.radiocluj.ro · www.thenewspaper.gr · www.romania-actualitati.ro · www.zarpanews.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Germany, Spain, Portugal, Austria, and Poland are pushing for windfall taxes on refineries. www.thenewspaper.gr · www.ieidiseis.gr · www.zarpanews.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Romania's natural gas storage is at 76.26%, containing approximately 2.43 billion cubic meters. jurnaluldearges.ro · www.radiocluj.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] Germany and the Netherlands together hold 35% of the EU's storage capacity. www.radiocluj.ro · www.romania-actualitati.ro · www.money.ro
[○ 1 SOURCE] Grupa Azoty reported an EBITDA of 294 million PLN in the second quarter. strefainwestorow.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] Pb95 gasoline is projected to cost between 7.97 and 8.11 PLN per liter. www.expresselblag.pl · www.kronikatygodnia.pl
[○ 1 SOURCE] The national production and supply of pellet are insufficient to meet current demand. www.dobrzemieszkaj.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] Heating a typical home with pellets costs nearly 13,000 PLN annually, which is over 4,000 PLN more than using gas. polityka.co.pl · smoglab.pl