The EU depends on imported fossil fuels (gas, oil and coal) for about 56 % of its energy needs (gross energy consumption), which in 2021 represented an energy bill of around EUR 300 billion. The domestic production of renewable energy sources has increased significantly in recent years to 22 % of total demand. The European Union can aspire to achieve energy independence through the deployment of existing and emerging technologies, thus reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuels. What are the developments and societal implications associated with these technologies?

EPRS Science and Technology Podcast - What if the EU were energy independent?

Each Member State independently decides on its own energy mix and use of nuclear energy. However, there are common rules and standards on nuclear energy, the basis for which is the Treaty on the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom Treaty) signed in 1957. All current EU Member States are party to it and it has remained largely unchanged throughout the years.

EPRS policy podcast - Nuclear energy in the European Union

In March 2023, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a 'net-zero industry act' that aims to expand the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies in the EU and enhance the resilience of its energy system. The proposed regulation would set up enabling conditions for the manufacturing of 10 net-zero technologies. The proposed regulation would aim to ensure that, by 2030, the manufacturing capacity in the EU for these strategic net-zero technologies reaches an overall benchmark of at least 40 % of the EU's annual deployment needs.

EPRS policy podcast - Net-zero industry act

To reach the Paris Agreement objective of keeping the global temperature increase well below 2°C, the EU must consider every possible technology to decarbonise its energy production. Nuclear fusion is the process that powers our sun and we can recreate it on Earth. However, even if we overcome the considerable engineering challenges of designing a fusion power plant, there are hard constraints to upscaling fusion power.

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if we could make nuclear fusion work?

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Gas emissions

Press conference on the reform of the electricity market design

EP Plenary session - Outcome of the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty

Press conference on a European Energy Assistance Plan

EP plenary session - Gas storage

EP Plenary Session - State of the Energy Union

EP Plenary session - Climate, Energy and Environmental State and guidelines (CEEAG)

EP Plenary session - European solutions to the rise of energy prices for businesses and consumers: the role of energy efficiency and renewable energy and the need to tackle energy poverty

On 25 of March 2023, millions of people around the world will celebrate Earth Hour 2023, the world's largest grassroots movement for the environment. This year again, the European Parliament will participate by switching off the lights of its building in Strasbourg.

Earth Hour Day 2023 - the European Parliament switches off its lights on the occasion of the Earth Hour 2023 event

This infoclip illustrates the effort sharing regulation and shows the gas emissions in different sectors such as buildings, agriculture, waste management, small industry and transport.

Infoclip: Effort sharing regulation - gas emission reductions

The European Union produced a video stockshots on the new ways of using energy. This stockshot illustrates 2. Brutopia, an Energy Efficient Building in Brussels, Belgium. Source: European Commission

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