European Energy Calls For Faster Renewable Expansion To Secure Europe’s Future Amid Ukraine And Middle East Wars

Recent global events, especially the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, have made one thing very clear: Europe cannot rely on fossil fuels for its future energy needs. To ensure long-term stability, the European Union must reduce its dependence on external energy suppliers and move toward greater energy independence. Europe has already made strong progress in this direction through its green transition. The rapid growth of wind and solar energy has delivered significant economic benefits. According to the report The State of Renewable Energies in Europe (23rd edition), the EU saved approximately DKK 1,228 billion in 2022 alone by reducing imports of fossil fuels used for electricity, heating, and transport.

This shows that investing in renewable energy is not only environmentally beneficial but also economically smart. Unlike during the oil crises of the 1970s, when replacing fossil fuels at scale was not feasible, today’s technology makes large-scale renewable energy expansion possible. The key question is no longer whether Europe should adopt renewables, but how quickly it can scale them. The war in Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis highlighted the risks of relying on external suppliers. Although the United States has helped fill part of the gap by supplying liquefied natural gas, political uncertainties there show that dependence on any external source—whether from the East or West—can create vulnerabilities.

Ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including conflicts involving Iran, have further driven up energy prices, reinforcing how fragile the global energy system remains. As long as Europe depends on fossil fuels, its economic stability, security, and growth remain influenced by external actors. Energy is no longer just an economic issue—it is a core part of security policy. At the same time, electricity demand across Europe is rising rapidly. The growth of electric vehicles, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and large data centres is increasing the need for reliable and continuous power. The digital economy depends on uninterrupted electricity, and demand is expected to grow even further.

Ensuring stable and sufficient energy supply will be critical for Europe’s future competitiveness. Renewable energy plays a central role in meeting this challenge. Over the past decade, wind and solar power have become the most cost-effective energy sources. In addition to being affordable, they are widely available and not controlled by a few countries. This makes them more secure and accessible compared to fossil fuels, which are often subject to geopolitical tensions. Expanding renewable energy also helps reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices and strengthens the overall resilience of the energy system. However, achieving true energy independence requires more than just building wind farms and solar parks.

Europe must modernize its electricity infrastructure. Renewable energy is often generated in locations that do not match demand patterns. A stronger, more interconnected grid would allow electricity to move efficiently across regions and countries, balancing supply and demand. This requires major investments in high-voltage transmission lines, interconnectors, substations, and advanced digital grid systems. Energy storage is another critical part of the solution. Since wind and solar output depends on weather conditions, large-scale battery systems are needed to store excess electricity and release it when demand is high or production drops.

Other technologies, such as pumped-storage hydropower in countries like Norway and Austria, already provide reliable large-scale energy balancing. In addition, Europe must continue developing clean energy solutions for sectors that are difficult to electrify. Technologies such as hydrogen and green fuels offer strong potential for industries like steel manufacturing, aviation, and shipping. Expanding these solutions will require significant investment, infrastructure development, and clear, stable policies to support innovation and large-scale deployment.

Despite having the technology and solutions in place, one of the biggest challenges remains the speed of implementation. Bureaucratic delays, complex permitting processes, fragmented national regulations, and slow infrastructure development are holding back progress. If not addressed, these issues could weaken Europe’s ability to achieve energy security. To move forward, Europe needs to accelerate renewable energy deployment, invest in modern grid systems and storage solutions, and strengthen supply chains for clean technologies.

Faster action will not only reduce dependence on external energy sources but also protect the economy from global shocks. In an increasingly uncertain world, renewable energy offers Europe a reliable path to long-term stability. By acting decisively, the region can build an energy system that is sustainable, secure, and independent—while also supporting economic growth, competitiveness, and long-term peace.