Energy security: solutions to today’s challenges
How can the EU tackle blackouts, energy dependency and cyberattacks on grids? Discover what the EU is doing to boost EU energy security.
Energy is key to our daily lives, powering the functioning of society and economy. But having access to energy is not a given. Europe has reduced its dependence on Russian fossil fuels since Russia’s full-scale invasion in Ukraine in 2022 and is now moving to eliminate it completely. Other challenges include the gradual switch to renewable energy and the need to connect and protect energy infrastructure.
Reduce energy dependency and eliminate Russian fossil fuels
As of 2025, the EU is still buying 60% of its energy from abroad, including 90% of its gas and 97% of its oil, as well as nuclear fuel. This has led to a risk that the supply might be disrupted and put under external pressure, especially from Russia.
That’s why the EU is acting to eliminate Russian fossil fuels from its energy mix. A new law passed by Parliament in December 2025 banned purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas for immediate delivery in the EU. This is effective from the moment the regulation enters into force in early 2026, while pipeline gas imports is to be phased out by 30 September 2027.
In negotiations with the Council, Parliament also secured a commitment by the European Commission to present legislation in early 2026 for banning all imports of Russian oil, so that an effective ban can enter into force before the end of 2027.
Gas imports from Russia (pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas combined) have decreased from over 40% of the total EU imports in 2021 to less than 19% in 2024. These imports have been replaced by supplies from more reliable sources or domestically produced energy or have been made unnecessary through reduced consumption. The share of Russian oil imports has also shrunk from 27% at the beginning of 2022 to 3% in 2024.
Increase EU-generated renewable energy
Wind power in the EU nearly doubled and solar power more than tripled over the last ten years since 2014. Renewables supplied 45% of electricity used in 2023.
However, grid issues led to 12 terawatt-hours of renewable energy being wasted (equal to the average electricity consumption of approximately 3.3 million EU households for a year). That is why MEPs insist on investing more to expand and upgrade grids.
Parliament is also calling for support for emerging technologies like geothermal energy and biomethane.
The EU is aiming for the renewable energy share to be at least 42.5% of its overall energy consumption by 2030. Parliament urged closer cooperation and faster rollout of renewable projects to meet these targets.
Improve energy efficiency
Saving energy is one of the best ways to reduce reliance on external energy supplies. Parliament’s resolution noted that energy demand in the EU dropped by 20% between 2006 and 2023 thanks to efficiency efforts.
However, energy consumption from data centres and digital technologies has risen sharply. Parliament urged for clearer policies and support to reduce this growth. It also called for better energy-saving measures in homes and industries to lower demand and avoid grid overload.
Prevent power shortages
The resolution warned that if there is no sufficient backup power, sudden peaks of demand or supply disruptions could cause major power outages and damage the economy.
Parliament noted that an extra 100 GW of power capacity might be necessary by 2035 to ensure reliability, energy security and lower costs. It stressed that this capacity should come from diverse energy sources.
Protect energy infrastructure from attacks
Parliament raised concerns about the increasing cyberattacks and physical sabotage incidents that threaten power infrastructure, especially cross-border lines, subsea cables and connections to offshore wind farms.
It called for EU countries, the European Commission, and EU agencies to protect each other more robustly and cooperate with each other more closely. Authorities should also work together with private companies to maintain electricity supply and support national security.
The resolution underlined the need for mandatory cybersecurity checks on small, internet-connected energy devices as they could be vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Enhance solidarity between EU countries
Parliament underlined that energy security requires solidarity as unilateral national actions risk destabilising the wider system. It urged EU countries to coordinate infrastructure projects and emergency responses.
Store enough gas to face disruptions
In July 2025, Parliament also approved a regulation on flexible gas storage, which aims to ensure EU countries store gas at affordable prices to cover cold periods or supply disruptions.
The legislation was initially adopted in 2022 in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, amid concerns that Russia may use gas supplies as an instrument to apply pressure on the EU.
The 2025 changes in the legislation introduce more flexibility in how EU countries may comply with the rules. Instead of having to meet a gas storage filling target of 90% on 1 November each year, countries are allowed to achieve the same 90% target at any point in time between 1 October and 1 December. This should result in less speculation and lower prices on the gas markets.
