EU Commission to unveil plan to end Russian energy dependency

Brussels — The European Commission is to unveil on Wednesday widely anticipated proposals to wean the European Union off Russian fossil fuel imports, gas especially, driven by the war in Ukraine.

In draft proposals seen by dpa, the commission will propose new targets for renewable energy production and efficiency, speed up permits for green energy projects like wind turbines, extend hydrogen infrastructure, and diversify gas imports.

To scale up the production of sustainable electricity, the commission is to propose new targets to source 45% of the EU's energy from renewables by 2030, up from 40% as previously planned.

The commission wants to see the number of solar plants in the EU more than double by 2028, also by granting planning permission for solar farms more quickly and by equipping industrial buildings with solar panels.

Other proposed measures include boosting hydrogen production in the EU using electricity generated from renewable sources, as well as importing hydrogen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen already announced on Twitter on Tuesday.

Under the new plans termed REPowerEU, the commission is also to urge consumers to save energy, for example, by driving less and slower or working from home.

Investments worth €195 billion ($203 billion) over the next five years may be necessary to end Russian energy dependency in addition to initiatives part of the EU's "Fit for 55" climate package, according to documents seen by dpa.

To improve energy security, the commission is also looking to diversify its gas suppliers.

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