Europe may be heading into another major energy crisis and this time, the problem may not simply be high prices, but the physical availability of fuel. In this episode of Brussels Signal’s Hammer Time, we examine the growing pressure on Europe’s diesel and gasoline supplies, the vulnerability of European refineries, declining energy security and the potential consequences of disruptions from the United States, India, Russia and key shipping routes. We also look at Europe’s natural gas situation, rising inflation, the political consequences of higher energy costs, and why the current energy crisis could fuel further political upheaval across the continent. From Germany and France to Austria and Brussels, energy security is increasingly becoming a political issue — and voters are taking notice. Topics discussed:
- Europe’s looming diesel and gasoline shortages
- The vulnerability of European refining capacity
- US, Indian and Russian fuel supplies
- Natural gas and European energy storage
- Rising inflation and the cost of living
- The political impact of Europe’s energy policy
- Germany, France and Austria’s changing political landscape
- The future of Europe’s energy transition
- The growing divide over the war in Ukraine and sanctions