Brussels has urged member state governments to consider implementing policies limiting travel amidst oil shortages, prompting fears of “energy lockdowns” inside the bloc.
In a letter reportedly sent to energy ministers, European Commission energy chief Dan Jørgensen insisted that it was now time for countries to consider “voluntary demand saving measures … with particular attention to the transport sector”.
According to a report by Politico, which claims to have seen a copy of the letter, the commissioner also warns that sourcing alternate sources of oil amidst the current conflict in Iran would be difficult due to “limited availability of alternative suppliers and of refining capacity for specific products within the EU”.
He added that it was now time for EU nations to make “timely preparation[s] in anticipation of a potentially prolonged disruption”.
The letter, which has since been confirmed to be real by the European Commission, has sparked fear of a possible “energy lockdown” akin to those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to Gript, Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn blasted both Brussels and Dublin’s response to the ongoing crisis, labelling both as “absurd”.
“The EU is asking us to cut travel, transport, and stay at home. They are effectively pushing for energy lockdowns in every country,” he said.
“As energy costs rise, the answer to this crisis is obvious — we need a moratorium on the carbon tax for as long as prices remain at crisis level.”
According to O’Flynn, the current response of the Irish government is “a half-measure that has done nothing to impact the continually rising cost of fuel”.
“They say they’re addressing the problem, but people aren’t feeling it in their pockets,” he added.
Confirming reports regarding the letter on social media, commissioner Jørgensen said that he had been “calling on EU Member States to coordinate action to safeguard oil & refined petroleum products supply”.
Though not publishing the full text of the letter, Brussels also confirmed that he had told member states to examine implementing the measures detailed in a recent document published by the International Energy Agency.
Penned directly in response to the current crisis in Iran, such policies include work-from-home orders, limits on air travel, and partial bans on private car use.
Similar measures are already being floated in Asia, with the South Korean government confirming it will restrict private car travel should supply shortages continue.
Seoul has already implemented rotating bans on public sector vehicles.