EU energy-crisis warnings worsen with need for solutions ‘right now’

As the bloc’s energy ministers gather, they will be taking the first steps on ways to prevent Putin’s cutoff of gas supplies from unleashing rationing, blackouts or even social unrest

In recent months energy prices have soared with customers experiencing significant hikes in their energy bills. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

The European Union is throwing together a series of radical plans to tame runaway energy prices and keep the lights on across the continent, but governments across the region are going to need to find common ground and fast.

As the bloc’s energy ministers gather in Brussels on Friday, they will be seeking to take the first political steps on ways to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin’s cutoff of gas supplies from unleashing rationing, blackouts or even social unrest.