GoKawiilEU's Decades-Long Energy Efficiency Push Cushions Hormuz Shock
Since the Strait of Hormuz closure sent Brent crude up 58% year-on-year, the European Commission has only trimmed its 2026 growth forecast from 1.5% to 1.1%, with unemployment steady near 6%. That resilience stems from a structural shift: Russian gas has dropped from 45% to 12% of EU imports while US LNG now supplies two-thirds of Europe's gas, backed by $750 billion in commitments through 2028, and EU output uses 44% less energy per euro than in 1995.
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For decades Europe's heavy reliance on imported energy was treated as its central vulnerability, yet the current oil shock is barely denting growth forecasts, suggesting efficiency gains and diversified suppliers have quietly reduced that exposure. The uneven impact within the bloc, Italy far more exposed than Spain, shows the insulation isn't uniform, meaning future shocks could still expose weaker members even as the EU aggregate holds steady.
- EU energy use per euro of GDP has fallen 44% since 1995, with over a third of that gain since 2019.
- US LNG now covers two-thirds of Europe's gas needs and 89% of Germany's, backed by $750B in deals through 2028.
- Despite Hormuz closure and Brent near $104, the EU's 2026 growth forecast was cut only to 1.1%, though Italy remains notably more exposed than Spain.
Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring (EP25) — If Europe can squeeze 44% more output from every unit of energy, your household can find some slack too. The Kasa EP25 tracks real-time and historical power draw for whatever you plug into it, so you can spot the appliances quietly running up your bill and schedule them around cheaper hours. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant and sets up through the Kasa app in minutes.
See Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring (EP25) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: oilprice.com — Michael Kern, 2026-09-12
Published there as: “Europe's "Less" Is Doing More Than Anyone Gives It Credit For”
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