Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the case for a rapid clean energy transition has never been stronger and clearer. The EU imports 90% of its gas consumption, with Russia providing more than 40% of the EU’s total gas consumption. Russia also accounts for 27% of oil imports and 46% of coal imports.

The EU needs to be ready for any scenario. It can reach independence from Russian gas well before the end of the decade. The sooner and more decisively we diversify our supply, accelerate the roll out of green energy technologies and reduce our demand of energy, the earlier we can substitute Russian gas. This communication sets out new actions to ramp up the production of green energy, diversify supplies and reduce demand, focusing primarily on gas, which significantly influences the electricity market and where the global market is less liquid. The focus can be extended to phasing out dependence on Russian oil and coal, for which the EU has a broader diversity of potential suppliers.

Accelerating the green transition will reduce emissions, reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels, and protect against price hikes. Rising fossil fuel prices hit energy-poor or vulnerable household consumers particularly hard, who spend a high share of their total income on energy bills, exacerbating the disparities and inequalities in the EU. Businesses, in particular energy-intensive industries, as well as the agri-food sector face higher production costs.

EUR-Lex – 52022DC0108 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu)