According to assessments by experts, the situation in the EU’s energy market remains stable in the run-up to the winter of 2023-4. The continuing crisis in Ukraine and ongoing dependence on foreign energy suppliers including Russia and Qatar are of course having a negative effect.
Europe’s wood pellet industry became a central part of the EU’s move away from coal, but its future is now under pressure from tougher sustainability rules, political scrutiny, and doubts about its climate benefits. As Europe tightens biomass standards after 2027, the future of wood pellets may depend on proving they are truly green. […]
The theme of Europe’s energy security is a constant irritant in both EU–Russia relations and in relations among European elites. We should probably resign ourselves to the manipulative nature of discussions about European energy security, which are far from the real economic circumstances. With this manipulation in mind, we should focus on economic reality, which […]
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, […]
For decades, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) has carried a promise that sounds almost mythic: to build a machine on Earth that can safely and controllably reproduce the physics of the Sun at an industrial scale. Hosted in Cadarache in southern France, the project is still the largest fusion experiment ever attempted and remains […]
Venezuela’s recent political upheaval has triggered renewed attention in global energy markets, but oil prices remain muted, with Brent crude trading around $60 per barrel. According to analysts, this muted reaction reflects broader supply conditions rather than a lack of concern about Venezuelan instability. Political Earthquake, Limited Price Reaction The U.S. military’s operation to capture […]
For some time, Azerbaijan has been seen as one of Brussels’ allies in its efforts to diversify energy imports. However, the situation appears to have stalled, with multiple factors converging to limit the participation of Azeri gas in the European energy mix. In this article, we assess the potential of this partnership. The grand plans […]
Europe had grown used to living from winter to winter. Once gas storage facilities were filled and January passed, survival was assured. When Europe finally turned the page on Russian gas in 2023–2024, it felt like a victory—an escape from the worst kind of dependence. But the celebration was short-lived. At that very moment, Europe […]
