What the Iran war means for EU energy policy | Come and discuss with our journalists

Since attacks began in late February, the Middle East conflict has destroyed fossil fuel infrastructure, halted tanker traffic, and sent global energy markets soaring. Faced with surging prices, Brussels and EU national capitals are putting forward a range of emergency measures — from fossil fuel subsidies to corporate windfall taxes. The crunch comes as EU decision-makers consider their frameworks for electricity grids and energy security — and in the middle of a debate about whether the bloc’s climate laws are harming competitiveness.

The crisis has different contours than an earlier, 2022 price shock that followed Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine, but some worry the bloc still hasn’t learned its lesson. They fear poorly-targeted emergency tax cuts could could turn an energy crisis into a fiscal one.

It’s leading some to question key pillars of Brussels energy policy: whether it’s the shift from fossil fuel to renewables, the decision to phase out Russian fuels, or the pledge to buy billions in energy products from the US. Join us in a live video broadcast from Brussels at 11am on Tuesday, 5 May. Jack Schickler, Managing Editor for Energy, joins reporters Ciarán Sunderland and Kira Taylor to unpack the next steps — and answer your questions.