作者：Ewa Krukowska欧盟向其成员国发出警告，称中东冲突可能引发能源价格危机，并要求各国考虑采取措施削减需求，并在入冬前继续补充天然气储备。
By Ewa Krukowska The European Union warned its member states about a potential energy price crisis driven by the Middle East conflict, asking them to consider measures to cut demand and to continue filling gas storage ahead of winter.
欧盟能源专员丹·约根森（Dan Jorgensen）在致欧盟27国能源部长的信中表示，该地区对进口化石燃料的依赖使其容易受到能源市场动荡的影响，并呼吁各国政府紧急为供暖季做好准备。
In a letter to energy ministers in the 27-nation bloc, EU Energy Commission Dan Jorgensen said the region’s dependence on imported fossil fuels exposed it turmoil in energy markets and called on national governments to urgently prepare for the heating season.
“我们正面临一场与供应危机相关联的价格危机，”约根森在周六被彭博社看到的这封信中写道。欧盟委员会未立即对此置评。
“We are facing a price crisis linking to a supply crisis,” Jorgensen wrote in the letter, which was seen by Bloomberg News on Saturday. The European Commission wasn’t immediately available to comment.
自美国领导的针对伊朗的战争于2月下旬爆发以来，欧洲天然气价格已翻了一番多，并在本月初达到了自2022年底以来的最高水平。不断上涨的成本已成为欧盟政治议程的首要议题，整个欧盟的企业都指责这些成本削弱了欧洲的竞争力。各国政府面临着越来越大的压力，要求它们采取更多措施来支持因账单激增而陷入困境的选民。
European gas prices have more than doubled since the start of the US-led war on Iran in late February, reaching their highest level since late 2022 earlier this month. Rising costs have been elevated to the top of the EU’s political agenda, with companies across the bloc blaming them for undermining Europe’s competitiveness. Governments have come under pressure to do more to support voters squeezed by ballooning bills.
今年天然气储备工作尤为困难，因为中东冲突推高了近期价格，使其相对于冬季合约的价格更高，导致夏季补充供应在经济上不太可行。该地区的设施储气量仅略高于70%，而往年同期的季节性正常水平为86%。
Gas stockpiling has been particularly difficult this year because the Middle East conflict has driven up near-term prices relative to winter contracts, making summer supply injections economically less viable. The region’s facilities are just over 70% full, compared with a seasonal norm of 86% for this time of year.
欧盟法规允许在供暖季前将设施储气量达到90%的目标下调10个百分点。如果市场条件不利，还可以额外使用5个百分点的灵活性空间。
EU rules allow for a 10 percentage point deviation from the goal of filling facilities to 90% ahead of the heating season. A further five percentage point flexibility can be used in the event of unfavorable market conditions.
“利用《天然气储存条例》所提供的灵活性，并将补库目标降至80%，有助于立即缓解价格和补库成本压力，”约根森说。“但是，在相关情况下，我建议你们考虑采取或继续采取措施，在必要期间维持注气，或降低天然气和电力需求。”
“Making use of the flexibility provided by the Gas Storage Regulation and reducing the filling target to 80% can help alleviate immediate pressure on prices and refilling costs,” Jorgensen said. “However, and where relevant, I invite you to consider taking or continuing to take measures that can sustain injections or reduce gas and electricity demand for as long as necessary.”