Pádraig Hoare: Who turned out the lights in Europe?

As Ireland's energy system feels the squeeze, Padraig Hoare examines the measures being taken across Europe as climate change, Russian aggression and fuel restrictions make a perfect storm

Our hopeless dependence on fossil fuels, coupled with a world power invading its neighbour, has left governments across the continent scrambling to stave off what was naively thought to be unthinkable — possible blackouts this winter.

Ireland’s energy system is feeling the squeeze, the UK is preparing for days without power this winter, and European nations like Germany are already seeing major cities restricting use in public areas.

This is not post-World War II European reconstruction or the 1970s energy crises, this is 2022, when our hopeless dependence on fossil fuels, coupled with a world power invading its neighbour, has left governments across the continent scrambling to stave off what was naively thought to be unthinkable — possible blackouts this winter.