EU Energy Security & Prices: EU energy chief Dan Jorgensen warned ministers in Dublin that the bloc has paid over €100bn extra for fossil fuel imports since the start of the Iran war “without a single extra molecule” of gas or oil, as very high winter prices and gas storage strain loom. Middle East Supply Risk: Oil stayed elevated around $107/bbl as Strait of Hormuz uncertainty persisted, while markets also watched a possible US diesel export ban that could hit Europe’s winter resilience. Grid as the Fix: IRENA’s Francesco La Camera urged governments to prioritise interconnectivity, flexibility and balance—“grid, grid, grid”—as the real answer to shocks. EU Policy & Funding: The Commission added €500m to Horizon Europe for 2026-27, including calls tied to a more affordable, secure energy system and biodiversity. Markets: European stocks slipped as Treasury yields rose, even as oil eased from recent highs. Energy Transition Hardware: Ellomay secured a permit for a 22.2MW/100.3MWh battery storage project in Spain, targeting flexibility and profitability. Sanctions Pressure: Germany and Slovakia backed tougher EU pressure on Russia, with Slovakia warning sanctions and energy cut-offs would be hard given infrastructure built on Russian supplies. Ukraine Biomethane Push: Ukraine says it has completed test deliveries of biomethane to the EU and is working to remove regulatory barriers for exports.