CFE Statement on REPowerEU

Carbon-Free Europe underlines the importance of using all clean technologies to reach energy independence

BRUSSELS—Today, the European Commission unveiled its long-awaited REPowerEU plan, which aims to reduce the European Union’s (EU) dependence on fossil fuel imports from Russia by ramping up the production of domestic green energy and diversifying the energy supply. Carbon-Free Europe (CFE) welcomes this initiative and fully supports the European Commission’s goal of rapidly reducing its reliance on Russian fossil fuels in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and accelerating the green transition.

The EU must take many crucial steps over the next three decades to ensure credible trajectories to net-zero and meet REPowerEU’s objectives. Based on our recently released modelling analysis, CFE recommends that the EU speed up the deployment of renewables, reassess its stance on carbon-free energy sources that are at risk of being phased out prematurely, and continue to invest in energy efficiency, energy storage, and innovative technologies. Such an approach will allow the EU to cut its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and provide Member States with the most viable path to carbon neutrality.

Specifically, CFE endorses the elements of the REPowerEU plan which recognise the importance of increasing low-carbon targets, expanding the role for hydrogen, and achieving energy savings as these actions will allow the EU to reduce fossil fuels imports while at the same time bringing the bloc closer to its 2030 decarbonisation goals. Rapidly increasing clean energy, diversifying gas supply, and reducing demand through energy efficiency are crucial strategies. Energy storage is an essential solution that should also be better reflected as the REPowerEU is implemented. The EU needs at least 100 GW of electricity storage capacity by 2030.

CFE analysed a set of five pathways for the EU to reach net-zero climate emissions by 2050. The results are clear that the chances of decarbonising the EU and cutting dependence on fossil fuels increase significantly as more clean technologies and fuel options are included as viable deployable energy sources across Europe. In addition, CFE’s modelling shows that alongside the need to rapidly eliminate reliance on Russian fossil fuels, the EU can still meet its energy and climate objectives by 2030 without a regressive turn back to fossil fuels.

Carbon-Free Europe

Carbon-Free Europe works to galvanise support across Europe for an ambitious decarbonisation agenda that includes every carbon-free energy technology.

CFE conducts research to ensure policymakers and the climate community have access to comprehensive, robust analyses to make evidence-based decisions on net-zero strategies. As part of this, we assess the risks and tradeoffs of different net-zero pathways to advise governments on credible trajectories to 2050.

CFE advocates for technology-inclusive climate policies, which are essential for deep decarbonisation and to reduce Europe’s vulnerability to volatile energy prices. We also provide expert insights on contemporary issues, including the EU’s Green Deal, national energy and climate plans, and Europe’s energy security.

More information about CFE can be found on their website: http://www.carbonfreeeurope.org.

Notes to Editors

For further information, technical details on the modelling, or interviews with Lindsey Walter, please contact Kreab at + 44 20 7074 1858 or hhards@kreab.com.