Energy consumption is linked direct to economic activity. According to Eurostat the most significant drop in European energy consumption – 5.8% – occurred in 2009 and is attributed by the agency “to a lower level of economic activity as a result of the global financial and economic crisis”, although in general the consumption of energy continues to grow […]
A key factor in current gas policy is the fight for the European gas market, which is becoming increasingly politicized. It is very evident that this market requires substantial re-structuring, linked to the consequences of American sanctions policy and changes in the system of gas transport routes, even if not all the transport options announced […]
German politicians’ faint hopes that the administration of new US president Joe Biden would replace wrath with favour have been dashed by an icy Transatlantic reality. Washington continues to take an intransigent stance and threaten European participants in the project with sanctions. But Berlin is still trying to withstand the pressure and save face, by […]
Norway has everything Europe seems to need for a greener energy future: vast hydropower, strong political ties, and direct electricity links to the continent. But behind that promise stand major obstacles – from a weak domestic grid to the lasting pull of oil and gas revenues. Europe is counting on Norway’s clean power – but […]
In the face of energy crises and high gas prices, not to mention the desire for greater security of supply, the topic of fracking is a recurring one in Europe. At first glance, the idea seems appealing: extracting domestic gas would reduce imports and cut dependencies. In practice, however, the situation is far more complicated, […]
In Europe, geothermal energy is seen as one of the few renewable sources capable of supplying heat around the clock, regardless of weather conditions, and is therefore expected to help reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Although its market share remains small, political momentum for expansion is growing – particularly in the heating sector. Germany is […]
A Berlin blackout caused by a January 2026 arson attack was a stark warning that clean power alone will not secure Europe’s energy future. As renewables surge, the real constraint is shifting from generation to flexibility and long-duration energy storage is emerging as one of the most contested tools to close that gap. In January […]
The Strait of Hormuz has once again become a source of global alarm – and this time, the issue is not only war, but also the risk of a major energy shock. Disruptions along this route could trigger a surge in oil and gas prices, drive up inflation, and hit the world’s largest economies. That […]
The “30 Renewable Islands for 2030” initiative, unveiled on 30 November 2023, turns 30 islands and island groups from 10 EU countries into real-world testbeds for the energy transition. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all model, it backs each island’s own bottom-up push to break free from fossil fuels and move towards genuine energy independence. When it […]
Europe is looking ahead: In a new strategy for small modular reactors, the EU is betting on innovation and technological sovereignty. SMRs are not only intended to pave the way for a climate-neutral future, but also to send a strong signal for a self-confident, competitive Europe. In March 2026, the European Union is set to […]
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to Qatar in February 2026 was more than just a bilateral meeting. It is part of a broader European Union strategy to diversify LNG supplies. Against the backdrop of increasing dependence on American LNG and growing unpredictability in Washington, Berlin and Brussels are trying to make their energy supply more […]
The North Sea is set to become Europe’s energy and protection zone. In Hamburg, nine countries signed a joint agenda: by 2050, 300 gigawatts of offshore wind power are to be generated in the North Sea, much of which will come from cross-border projects. At the same time, new grid regulations and greater security for […]
In 2025, the European Union crossed a historic threshold. For the first time, electricity generated from wind and solar surpassed output from all fossil fuels combined. Renewables accounted for 30 percent of total EU electricity generation, compared to 29 percent from fossil fuels. Within this shift, solar energy is becoming more prominent with each passing […]
As Europe moves deeper into the winter of 2025-2026, the continent’s energy system reflects a transformation shaped by cooperation, investment, and strategic foresight. Technically, electricity and gas supplies are broadly secure across the Union. Economically, markets remain sensitive to global conditions but they are now operating within a framework that is more diversified, more connected, […]
