Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Aug 01, 2025

Energy boss warns of shortages next winter as China's consumption set to rise

Energy boss warns of shortages next winter as China's consumption set to rise

"It is not right to be relaxed, it is not right now to celebrate," says the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol.

Europe is "off the hook" on energy supplies this winter - but it has also got lucky, a senior official has said.

Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, has warned against complacency, saying there could easily be energy shortages next winter.

One of the principle reasons for that is the end of heavy COVID restrictions in China, leading to increased economic activity, and therefore a rise in gas consumption.

While an extra 23 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected to be produced this year, China could take 80% of it, Mr Birol said.

"Even though we have enough LNG import terminals, there may not be enough gas to import and therefore it will not be easy this coming winter for Europe," he commented.

Prices could be pushed up again - just as they were when Russia invaded Ukraine. The war will be a year old on Friday.

"It is not right to be relaxed, it is not right now to celebrate," Mr Birol commented.

He is asking countries that have decided to phase out nuclear energy to consider whether it is the right time to do so.

There could be shortages next winter, Mr Birol has warned

On a more positive note, Mr Birol said European governments had made many correct decisions as they sought to ensure their energy supplies.

Those include building more LNG terminals to replace pipeline deliveries of Russian gas.

But they also got lucky, with a mild winter dampening demand and economic weakness in China leading to the first drop in consumption there for 40 years.

"For this winter it is right to say that we are off the hook. If there are no last minute surprises, we should get through...maybe with some bruises here and there," Mr Birol said.

"But the question is, what happens next winter?"

Even with a renewed push to develop new gas fields, it could be years before they come online, he warned.

Klaus Mueller, head of the German agency which regulates gas and electricity markets, has also predicted possible gas shortages next winter, especially as Germany will now have to fill storage facilities without Russian pipeline gas.

"We can manage it but will have to really make a big effort," he told radio station Deutschlandfunk.
Comments

Oh ya 2 year ago
The stupid Europeans will learn there lesson next winter that they should not be a vassal for the collapsing US empire. They can not make it without cheap Russian gas. BASF has announced it is moving out of Germany and too China because they can not get the gas they need. Glass and steel plants are shutting down also. Fertilizer plants have go gas to make fertilizer for next years crop. The world needs to wake up about the true USA

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Germany Seeks Taliban Deal to Deport Afghan Migrants
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Qatar Airways Clears Backlog of Passengers Following Missile Threats
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
×