Energy price spike in Europe, coal shortage in India: Are we seeing a global energy crisis

France, Spain and Poland are among the EUmemberstates urging Brussels to intervene in energy markets as wholesale gas prices soar to record levels, hitting businesses and families. The European Union seeks to keep plans to tackle climate change on track amid recordhigh energy costs. But it s clear that poorer households have to be supported in some way. European countries aren t alone in their struggle with energysupply. India is facing a crunch in coal, following a surge in demand. Energy suppliers there have recently added over 28 million consumers, mostly lowermiddle class and poor, who are buying goods like fans, lights and TV sets. It s not just soaring demand: Recent monsoon rains flooded mines and disrupted transport. That sent coal prices up sharply for power stations. Coal generates nearly 70 percent of Indias electricity. Threequarters of the fuel is mined domestically. Staterun giant Coal India produces most of the country s supply. .. and says it s now a warfoo