The key facts

  • EU energy ministers will discuss possible measures to reduce energy consumption on 29 October; the initiative comes from Ireland, which holds the Council presidency.
  • Gas prices have risen 140% since the start of the US and Israel war against Iran, with Brent around $110 per barrel; EU gas stocks stand at 74% — the lowest since 2011.
  • Gas grid operators warn of a possible gas shortfall of 12–15% of demand in a severe cold snap; the IEA is ready to coordinate new emergency oil releases.

Council of the EU Prepares to Discuss Reducing Energy Demand

EU governments may call on households and businesses to cut energy consumption, as the war in the Middle East drives up prices and threatens oil and gas supplies. This is indicated by a document reviewed by Euronews. Energy ministers will discuss possible measures to reduce consumption at the level of the entire EU at a meeting on 29 October, amid concerns that supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz could persist for months. The proposal to consider reducing demand was tabled by Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU and brokers negotiations between member states.

Prices and Stocks

Gas prices have risen 140% since the start of the US and Israel war against Iran, while Brent traded at $110 per barrel on Wednesday. The Irish presidency warns that even when the conflict ends, its impact on oil markets could persist for months, and the consequences for gas supplies for years. EU officials consider energy prices the main side effect of the Middle East crisis; Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen already in September, for the second time, called on EU capitals to consider reducing energy demand. Gas grid operators recently warned that in a severe cold snap this winter the bloc could face a gas shortfall of 12–15% of demand. Gas stocks as of 20 October stood at 74% — according to industry association Gas Infrastructure Europe, the lowest level since 2011.

Strait of Hormuz Blockade and Response Measures

Almost eight months have passed since military attacks led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a key artery through which 20% of global oil and gas transit passes. Diesel and jet fuel are particularly vulnerable to price increases and possible supply disruptions. As the European Commission's options to mitigate the crisis are running out, ministers will consider whether reducing consumption should become part of the EU's response alongside emergency stock releases and financial support. The Council document raises questions about what lessons have been learned from EU coordination and how to prepare for a scenario in which the strait remains partially or fully closed in the coming months, as well as what demand-reduction measures should be considered at EU level. The document does not propose specific reduction figures and does not record ministers' agreement, but sets a framework for assessing capitals' readiness to manage consumption during prolonged supply disruptions. The discussion reflects a growing recognition that the EU cannot ensure energy security through imports and emergency stocks alone if a major supply route remains blocked.

Emergency Supplies and IEA Plans

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday secured diesel supplies from Gulf countries after Saudi Arabia offered additional spot cargoes of crude oil for delivery to Europe from late October to mid-November. This followed a G7 agreement to release additional emergency oil stocks under pressure from Washington. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said it stands ready to coordinate new emergency oil releases by member countries to counter price increases. Spain confirmed that during October it will release 4.4 million barrels of strategic oil stocks under existing emergency commitments. Shortly after the American-Israeli strikes on Iran, the Paris-based IEA also presented a 10-point plan to reduce oil consumption, including 'car-free Sundays' — a practice widely used in the energy crisis of the 1970s. Possible measures range from voluntary calls for savings to targeted consumption restrictions for individual sectors, depending on the severity of the crisis.

Open Questions on Burden-Sharing

Any Europe-wide initiative raises questions about who will bear the burden, whether industry should limit consumption, and how to protect vulnerable households without further damaging the bloc's competitiveness. The central question for ministers is whether demand reduction should be coordinated at EU level or left to national governments. A common approach could help prevent countries from competing for scarce supplies, but member states face varying degrees of exposure to gas shortages, different electricity prices and different industrial needs. Also on the table is a Commission proposal tabled at the Council summit on 15–16 October: to aggregate energy demand at EU level so that Brussels coordinates demand and allocates it among countries according to their needs.