The European Union needs a new energy security strategy that integrates the energy transition into the current geopolitical landscape and addresses key challenges. The Russian war against Ukraine, political changes in the United States, and significant international tensions serve as important signals for rethinking how to strenghten Europe's resilience to crises. As global dynamics continue to shift, a fresh strategic approach has become essential.
Forum Energii, in collaboration with leading European experts, has published a report that outlines a new framework for ensuring a secure, resilient, and sustainable energy future for the EU. The report’s publication coincides with Poland’s Presidency of the EU Council which has set energy security as one of its priorities.
NOTE: The report is available only in English.
Context
In 2024, Forum Energii, together with the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) and Bruegel, hosted a series of workshops and discussions in Warsaw, Brussels, Berlin and Kyiv. The focus was on addressing emerging challenges related to energy security in the face of geopolitical tensions and climate–related risks. The key findings from this work are outlined in the report ‘Towards sustainable energy security. Europe needs a new strategy now’ published today.
The 2014 European Energy Security Strategy was adopted shortly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, focusing primarily on diversifying fossil fuel supplies. In recent years, the EU's reliance on energy imports has been constantly growing, and these resources have been used as a tool to exert pressure on the EU, mainly by Russia.
Georg Zachmann one of the authors notes: Europe remains structurally dependent on imports of fossil fuels which makes EU an expensive vulnerability. To avoid a long-term competitive disadvantage the EU needs substantial investments today in domestic energy supply. This quickly strengthens our sovereignty as any lowering of energy import needs immediately reduces the dependency on individual suppliers.
However, a positive development is that energy systems have undergone significant transformation, driven by the rapid expansion of renewables, the gradual decline of fossil fuel-based generation, and the adoption of new digital and innovative technologies. These and other factors are fundamentally reshaping the nature of energy systems.
Maciej Jakubik, lead author and editor of the report: There are majors shifts in circumstances that call for a new approach to energy security: energy transition brings new promises and perils; recent energy crisis exposed critical weaknesses in the EU’s energy system; finally geopolitical headwinds reshape global politics and trade. This change of approach and priorities should be reflected in official EU policy documents. Therefore, we propose to launch a political discussion on a new European sustainable energy security strategy that would constitute the basis for the future energy security architecture in the EU. The new strategy should encompass diverse factors and policies that form modern energy security dimensions.
New strategy will constitute an appropriate response to the challenges and changes occurring in the EU energy sector. Its essence should be integrity, both in terms of the material scope of action and a comprehensive toolbox based on greater EU-wide collaboration.
Szymon Kardaś points out: The EU faces a dual challenge: ensuring energy security while accelerating its transition to sustainable energy. A modernised approach to energy security is urgently needed. This new approach must embrace: Multidimensionality – integrating security within trade, defence, climate and environmental policies. At the other hand, it must foster collectiveness – ensuring greater EU-wide cooperation.
The report proposes a revised definition of energy security:
Sustainable energy security is the ability of a flexible energy system to reliably provide sustainable and accessible energy services, critical minerals and technologies while adapting to evolving challenges related to climate and environmental constraints as well as cyber threats without unduly burdening consumers.
According to the report, the strategy should consist of the following elements:
- Zero- and low-emission sources, flexibility, and grids
The strategy should evolve toward ensuring the unrestricted deployment of renewable generation, other zero and low emission and flexibility sources, and reliable development and functioning of electricity grids. It must address issues of energy system flexibility, energy efficiency and controlled demand reduction which are of utmost importance to rationalise energy use and manage costs.
- Better integration and coordination within the EU
Ensuring high interconnectivity among EU member states is essential for enhancing the security of energy supply and enabling the effective integration of energy markets across the continent. Deeper integration is also a factor contributing to lowering the energy prices in the EU. It is also necessary to introduce European integrated planning for net-zero infrastructure, which will provide significant benefits compared to sectoral and self-sufficiency-oriented national planning. Establishing a dedicated EU Energy Agency to facilitate joint pan-European planning and centralized data collection could enhance policy coherence.
- Solidarity and resilience as a core principles
A renewed emphasis on the principle of solidarity among EU member states is crucial to fostering collective responses to energy crises and develop a legally binding solidarity mechanism agreement to ensure rapid assistance in case of shortages and emergencies. This underscores the importance of resilience, which addresses the ability of energy systems to withstand diverse and uncertain threats.
- Diversification of supply of fuels, minerals and technologies
The strategy should address both the diversification of energy resources and the development of resilient supply chains for critical raw materials. Joint aggregation platforms can constitute an important element of the EU strategy to ensure sufficient supplies. EU trade policy instruments should play a greater role and expand trade partnerships through "friendshoring," prioritizing stable and like-minded partners over adversarial nations.
To accelerate its energy transition and reduce dependency on imports, the EU must prioritise the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels. By ending reliance on Russian energy imports, the EU not only reduces geopolitical risks but also drives sustainable growth and aligns with the political and climate targets.
- Protection of energy infrastructure
Critical infrastructure protection and a need to improve its resilience from emerging threats, unconventional attacks and other risks emerge as a priority in view of recent incidents. It should also include cyber security issues. Maritime security should be strengthened, with close cooperation with NATO and allied nations to monitor and protect energy sea infrastructure and supply routes.
Conclusion
As this report demonstrates, the EU must rethink its approach to energy security, moving beyond traditional fuel supply concerns to a more integrated and comprehensive framework. By adopting a multidimensional and collective approach, the EU can build a resilient, future-proof energy security framework that reduces geopolitical vulnerabilities while accelerating the clean energy transition.
A new EU sustainable energy security strategy must be adopted without a delay. The time to act is now - Europe’s future depends on bold leadership and strategic decisions.