"Europe will get stung this year with the biggest energy bill in a decade as hyperinflation in natural gas and power prices hits homes and factories across the continent, according to Citigroup Inc.
Using current forward prices, the region’s total primary energy bill will come in at about $1 trillion, the bank said in a report. That compares with about $300 billion last year and $500 billion in 2019. Â
While previous peaks were largely driven by surging oil prices, this time it’s about the cost of heating and powering everything from homes to transport and big industrial plants that will help reduce carbon emissions.Â
'It is gas and electricity that is becoming prohibitively expensive in Europe,' Citigroup analysts including Alastair Syme wrote. “Consumers and industry across the region are likely going to have to make some tough choices about their energy consumption.”
Europe is deep in an energy crunch with its lowest gas stocks for at least a decade. Benchmark prices for the fuel surged more than 250% last year, and tensions between the west and top supplier Russia are making traders the most jittery they have been for years. Lower wind speeds have also curbed output of renewable energy that the green revolution is built around."
"This time it’s about the cost of heating and powering everything from homes to transport and big industrial plants that will help reduce carbon emissions."
Say wha?!
(Translation: "This time it's about intermittent renewables leaving Europeans 100% dependent on gas from Russia, and irrational fear of nuclear energy. Same as the last time!")