MILAN (Reuters) – Soaring gas prices as winter approaches are evidence that the European Union needs to work out a long-term energy security plan, the head of Italy’s Eni has told La Repubblica newspaper.

Claudio Descalzi noted the EU imports almost all the and most of the oil it needs, making it structurally dependent on foreign supplies.

In a Saturday interview, Descalzi stated that Europe needs to be able to access what it doesn’t have today: a long-term and structured energy security plan.

He said that he doesn’t believe there will be any problems in gas procurement but added that it would cost more.

Eni is a strategic supplier of long-term gas supplies to a number of countries, including Russia.

Europe’s households are facing higher energy bills because of surging gas prices and wholesale power costs. Consumer groups warned that those most at risk could be in fuel poverty.

Spain has asked the European Commission for guidance that will help members respond consistently to spikes in power prices, without needing to challenge the rules.

This week, Mario Draghi, Italy’s Prime Minister, stated that Europe must diversify its energy supply and increase the purchasing power of countries in order to curb rising gas prices.