Hoekstra warns of an energy crisis in Europe and calls for preparations for a harsh winter

Hoekstra said in an interview with Euronews that EU countries must continue the process of filling storage facilities and prepare for the possibility that low stock levels coincide with harsh winter conditions, considering that this scenario constitutes a situation that no one can bear.

Hoekstra called on member states to prepare to face a difficult situation during the coming winter, noting that the European Union's dependence on imports is not limited to gas only, but extends to include about 95% of its oil needs as well.

Hoekstra described this high level of dependence on the outside as “very bad cards” for the European Union, stressing the necessity of moving in the medium term to a radically different energy system, through developing nuclear, solar, and wind energy sources, in addition to increasing reliance on electricity and raising local energy production.

The percentage of gas storage facilities in the European Union is currently only about 62%, which is the lowest level for this time of year since 2011.

The situation becomes more difficult with the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas trade passes, threatening the smoothness of supplies.

In light of these supply disruptions, Europe is forced to compete strongly with Asian buyers for LNG shipments available in global markets.

It is noteworthy that after the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, the European Union sharply reduced its purchases of Russian energy resources, and moved towards completely abandoning Russian gas, so that the United States and Norway have become the largest suppliers of gas to the European Union at the present time.