EU's Bold Move Towards Energy Independence

In a compelling address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the EU's strategic shift away from Russian energy dependencies. "Prior to the onset of Putin's aggression, Europe was heavily reliant on Russia for 45% of its gas and 50% of its coal imports, alongside significant oil supplies," von der Leyen stated. She emphasized that while Russian energy seemed cost-effective, it ultimately left the EU susceptible to coercion.

Reducing Dependency: A Swift and Decisive Response

The EU has impressively curtailed its gas imports from Russia by 75%, marking a pivotal step towards energy sovereignty. Von der Leyen underscored the critical need for the bloc to invest in future clean energy technologies. This includes fusion energy, advanced geothermal systems, and solid-state batteries. Additionally, she pointed out the necessity of upgrading electricity grids and enhancing storage infrastructures to support these groundbreaking innovations.