Gas Prices Once Again Test Europe’s Energy Security. AKI SR Warns of Risks to Critical Infrastructure
Rising natural gas prices are not merely an economic problem. For critical infrastructure, they also test preparedness for supply disruptions, the ability to manage rising operating costs, and the continuity of essential services.
Europe’s natural gas market is entering the heating season amid geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over supplies. According to a report published by Echo24 on 13 October 2026, the price of the benchmark TTF contract reached €86.79 per megawatt-hour (MWh) during trading, its highest level since December 2022. Gas storage facilities across the European Union were less than 74% full, while Germany’s storage facilities were below 60%.
These figures do not automatically mean that Europe is facing a gas shortage. They do, however, indicate that the market remains sensitive to further supply disruptions, adverse weather conditions and developments in the international situation.
From Geopolitics to the Security of Essential Services
One significant risk factor is the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies normally pass. Restrictions on shipping in this area could intensify competition between European and Asian buyers, putting further upward pressure on prices.
According to Reuters on 12 October 2026, European wholesale gas prices had risen by more than 150% since the beginning of the year. This development illustrates how quickly geopolitical tensions can translate into higher costs for the European economy.
For critical entities, the key issue is not only whether energy is available, but also under what conditions they can secure it. Higher costs may reduce the financial resources available for maintenance, modernisation and security measures. In healthcare, water supply, food production, transport and industry, an energy disruption can affect the delivery of other essential services.
The Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (AKI SR) therefore considers energy security an issue that must be assessed in the context of the functioning of the entire critical infrastructure system.
What Slovakia Should Assess
Slovakia is part of an interconnected European energy market. Developments in wholesale prices can gradually feed through into business costs, although the actual impact depends on contractual arrangements, procurement methods and specific supply conditions.
Risk assessments must therefore distinguish between the price of gas, its physical availability and an individual entity’s ability to maintain operations. These are three distinct factors that do not necessarily evolve at the same pace.
AKI SR considers it essential for critical entities to focus particularly on the following areas:
* Energy dependency: Identify processes that depend on gas, electricity and related services.
* Alternative solutions: Assess alternative suppliers, backup energy sources and the actual capacity of alternative supply arrangements.
* Operational continuity: Test in practice how long essential services can be maintained in the event of supply restrictions.
* Economic scenarios: Account for energy price volatility when planning budgets, investments and operating reserves.
For example, a backup electricity generator may not resolve a situation in which the technological process itself depends on a gas supply. These interdependencies must be understood before a crisis occurs.
Europe Has More Options Than in 2022, but Risks Remain
Since the 2022 energy crisis, the European Union has expanded its LNG import capacity, diversified supply sources and reduced gas consumption. Lower storage levels therefore do not automatically mean that supplies will be insufficient during the winter.
However, smaller reserves increase the importance of continuously monitoring developments and preparing for adverse scenarios. The replenishment of storage facilities and competition for LNG supplies on global markets will also be important factors.
For Slovakia, this highlights the need to link energy market information with risk assessments across individual sectors. A supply disruption may affect more than the direct customer. Difficulties faced by an energy-intensive supplier can spread to other businesses and ultimately affect critical services.
AKI SR Position: Preparedness for Specific Scenarios Is Key
Tibor Straka, President of the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic, emphasises that energy security must also be assessed in terms of the ability to manage situations in which normal supplies are no longer available under expected conditions.
“Energy security is not simply a matter of having supplies available at any given moment. What matters is knowing how long we can maintain essential services if supplies are disrupted, what alternatives we have, and whether our plans have been tested in practice,” says Tibor Straka.
According to AKI SR, current developments in the European gas market should be reflected in regular assessments of energy dependencies, the testing of continuity plans and the review of supply chains. This is not merely about responding to current price fluctuations, but about identifying risks in good time and preparing effective measures.
Gas prices can change within a matter of days. The ability of critical entities to continue providing essential services, however, must be the result of systematic preparation, not improvisation during a crisis.
