On 8 July, the European Parliament approved a report emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach to energy security, with a significant majority of 459 votes in favour, 170 against, and 30 abstentions. The report emphasises that energy security is crucial for maintaining economic stability, ensuring public safety, and promoting national resilience.
“Ensuring the security of energy supply remains a critical challenge for the European Union, particularly in light of Russia’s long-term weaponisation of energy, its war of aggression against Ukraine, the resulting geopolitical shifts, and the urgent need to diversify our energy sources while investing in domestic production” said lead MEP Beata Szydło (ECR, Poland).
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) proposed a bold phase out of Russian energy imports, particularly natural gas and oil, by 2027, stressing the importance of diversifying energy sources. They highlighted the need to protect energy infrastructure from threats like climate change, cyberattacks, and military aggression, advocating for revisions in how energy security is understood, with a focus on resilience.
MEPs called for increased investment in domestic clean energy and robust energy efficiency measures to reduce reliance on external supplies. They underscored the growing importance of renewables in strengthening energy independence and security, as well as the need for integrated energy markets and resilient infrastructure.
The report also raised concerns about the EU’s dependence on Russian gas, fuelling Russia’s war machine, advocating for a complete ban on all Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027 to mitigate risks. Additionally, they emphasised the importance of supporting Ukraine in safeguarding its energy infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict. They called for a coordinated response to protect critical energy systems from various threats, including cyber and military attacks.
“In this report, we have sought to strike a balance between the political and economic realities we face and the EU’s ambitious goals for the energy transition. We have upheld Member States’ sovereignty over their energy mix and emphasised the principle of technological neutrality—including the role of nuclear energy and the transitional use of natural gas—while reinforcing strong references to renewables and energy efficiency,” added MEP Szydło.
