The European Union is dependent on energy imports, and domestic energy production is a key factor in energy affordability, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
„The main reason for the high costs is Europe's dependence on the world market, on energy imports. We are dependent on what happens on the unstable world market. We felt this acutely during the energy crisis, especially in Germany, von der Leyen said, speaking at an economic forum in Berlin. She noted that prices have fallen significantly since the crisis, but companies still suffer from excessively high structural energy costs.
„This means that the key to affordability and energy security is energy produced here in Europe, which makes us independent from the volatile global market. This includes renewable energy sources, but also nuclear energy“, said the EC head. She stressed that 72% of the electricity currently generated in the EU comes from so-called low-carbon sources. „In Germany, the figure is 63%“, said von der Leyen. “However, cheap energy must not only be produced, but also delivered to where it is really needed“, she concluded.
The President of the European Commission explained that simplifying bureaucratic procedures in the EU would allow the community to save up to EUR 8 billion per year. However, she admitted that so far none of the solutions for administrative simplification have worked. “We urgently need the green light from the European Parliament and the member states. Only then will the EC proposal become a reality and you will feel it“, said von der Leyen.
In the spring, the EC presented a plan for a complete ban on EU countries buying Russian oil and gas by the end of 2027. This ban is expected to continue after the end of the conflict in Ukraine. In May 2022, the European Union launched the REPowerEU program, aimed at ending dependence on Russian gas by 2027.