Analysts at Rystad Energy believe that the energy crunch in Europe may intensify due to extremely hot weather. Europe is racing to store enough gas for winter but its power system is being strained by sweltering summer temperatures.

Analysts also noted that Europe was absolutely not ready for such abnormal heat. Temperatures in some parts of the UK and France may rise to record levels, Maxar pointed out. Despite an increase in solar energy production, a heat wave scorching the western half of the region boosted demand for cooling. Naturally, energy prices have skyrocketed due to extreme weather conditions. Rystad Energy assumes that Europe may fail to fill its gas storage reservoirs to full capacity before winter. To confirm their gloomy forecasts, analysts provided data on gas reserves showing that storage sites remain below the normal levels for this time of year.

Earlier, Britons were set to melt on the hottest UK day on record as temperatures were predicted to hit 40C on July 18. The extreme heat was expected to last for several more days. The government decided to impose speed restrictions on the tube and asked citizens to use public transport only if necessary.