The energy crisis will force European countries to outbid one another for gas supplies to protect their populations from freezing in the coming winter.
Such a conclusion was made by Bloomberg experts based on the actual statistics on the occupancy rate. Today, the region's natural gas storage facilities are 71% full, which is 20% below the normal level.
As soon as winter temperatures reach a truly deep freeze, European governments will have to ban gas exports to ensure that their own citizens are provided with electricity and heat. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has already announced such measures. Norway’s authorities are also considering similar steps, although this country is Europe's largest energy exporter.
Germany will probably be the hardest-hit state, Bloomberg analysts predict. Over 90% of the gas it uses is imported. Thus, the country is highly dependent on energy imports. The German authorities may veer out of European solidarity and try to outbid other states for supplies originally intended for less wealthy European countries.
Prior to the release of these projections, journalist Christoph Herwartz noted that amid rising energy prices in the region, European Union member states should combine their efforts to jointly purchase gas.
