Europe may have to ration its energy supply unless efficiency improves and demand decreases, the chief executive of the International Energy Agency has warned.

If winter weather is harsh and protracted, while demand in China rises as COVID restrictions continue to ease, then rationing is not out of the question unless energy efficiency starts to improve rapidly, Fatih Birol told the Financial Times.

Birol suggested that higher efficiency, renewable sources and maximizing the use of existing energy sources would help ensure energy security rather than launching new and larger fossil fuel projects.

The warning came after Germany and Austria also sounded the alarm over energy supplies in recent weeks, and Berlin said some large industrial plants could be shut down if the situation worsens.

The US and EU are seeking to cut off energy exports from Russia, even though European countries are dependent on Russian gas supplies for their energy system.

Other countries are also feeling the energy crisis and have already taken steps towards rationing. Pakistan is removing Saturday from its workweek to address power consumption issues that caused power outages and is considering making Friday a mandatory work-from-home day, Bloomberg reported.