Economy

Energy prices are rising fast as war in the Middle East pushes oil above 100 dollars a barrel. The European Commission says EU oil supplies remain secure thanks to large emergency reserves. G7 countries are now discussing whether releasing strategic stocks could ease price pressures.

TenneT has sharply increased its investment in the Dutch and German electricity grid, even as many projects face delays. The operator says new measures should speed up expansion, while several major upgrades were completed ahead of schedule. Additional funding for TenneT Germany is also expected to be finalised in the coming months.

Crop prices are rising as the conflict in Iran disrupts global trade routes and increases demand for biofuels. Higher energy and fertiliser costs are adding pressure on farmers, while some countries may begin stockpiling key staples. Economists warn that the longer the disruption continues, the greater the risk of inflation.

Oil prices have surged to their highest level in more than a year, driven by supply disruptions linked to the US–Israel conflict with Iran. Production in Iraq has dropped sharply, adding pressure to global markets. The rapid rise in both WTI and Brent crude highlights growing concerns about the stability of oil supplies.

TUI has repatriated 250 stranded tourists to Hanover after tensions in the Middle East disrupted air travel. The flights brought travellers from the United Arab Emirates back to Europe, while hundreds of Dutch passengers are still waiting to return home.

Emirates has halted all flights to and from Dubai, just a day after announcing plans to resume services. KLM has also delayed its return to several Middle Eastern destinations due to the conflict in Iran. Both airlines say they are monitoring the situation closely as regional airspace remains restricted.

The eurozone economy grew slightly slower than expected in the final quarter of last year, with Eurostat revising growth down to 0.2% from an initial estimate of 0.3%. This adjustment also nudged the annual growth for 2025 down to 1.2%, as the wider European Union saw a similar quarterly increase. While the European Central Bank (ECB) had forecast a steady recovery for 2026, those projections are now clouded by the conflict in the Middle East. Analysts warn that rising energy prices could reignite inflation and dampen future growth, making the road to economic stability more uncertain than previously anticipated.

A major new housing project has broken move-in ground in Eindhoven, bringing 400 energy-efficient homes to the Gestel district. Supported by funding from the city and ASML, the development will transform a former school site into a mix of affordable rentals and private housing.