Empowering Europe: A Vision for Energy Security and Critical Raw Materials

The European project was built on energy and with energy. After the devastation of the Second World War, we chose to integrate our coal and steel production to rebuild our economies. Since then, we have never stopped building our success together: greater energy integration has led to greater prosperity. That is why our economies need continued access to secure, efficient and sustainable energy. When Putin brutally invaded Ukraine, energy prices in Europe rose 15-fold in a matter of weeks.  Energy is not just a commodity, it is a vital asset. We must finally build a true Energy Union that ensures our energy supply cannot be blackmailed, that citizens can afford their bills and that gives our businesses a true competitive advantage in the economy of the future.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the energy crisis have shown us that we are too dependent on our geopolitical rivals. Europe has almost completely cut its dependence on Russian gas, but we are still vulnerable when it comes to energy and critical raw materials. Dependence is a constant threat to our security and competitiveness. Between 2021 and 2022, the cost of some energy imports tripled, affecting key sectors of our economy such as consumer goods and manufacturing. Farmers and producers also saw their fuel and fertiliser costs rise by more than 30%. To remain competitive, our industries need a long-term strategy for their supply of resources, including critical raw materials. Demand for these materials is set to double in the next 30 years, yet we produce only a few of them in Europe. Europe currently produces less than 1% of the world’s lithium batteries, a technology needed for electric cars and energy storage. In a world where everyone is competing for these resources, Europe must become a key player. To avoid depending on third countries, we must first identify our vulnerabilities. That is why we need to map strategic global supply chains, as addressed in the European Critical Raw Materials Act. We must build resilience by creating secure and competitive value chains to bring the production and processing of certain strategic materials inside the EU and closer to our markets.

We must finally build a true Energy Union that ensures our energy supply cannot be blackmailed, that citizens can afford their bills and that gives our businesses a true competitive advantage in the economy of the future.

We need an Energy Union based on green technologies to produce more energy in Europe and reduce our imports. This includes hydrogen in its various forms. We must invest in cross-border energy infrastructure. Our electricity market should be based on a European-wide electricity grid - fully interconnected. If we diversify imports and increase domestic low-carbon energy production in general, no one could blackmail us any more with oil and gas cuts.  As EPP Group, we believe in the power of the market. Greening our energy mix will require market-based instruments, which provide the right incentives for people and businesses. The ETS is the right tool for this, having proven its success. Our aim is for more countries around the world to follow this example.

Energy poverty is now a reality in many regions, with families having seen their electricity bills rise by 20% in recent years. The Green Deal is a deal with the people.  While the Greens and the Left propose more targets and technology bans, we want to unleash Europe's capacity for innovation to deliver energy that is sustainable for the planet, people and industry. We want an Energy Union that makes sure that people can afford their bills. That means investing in energy-efficient buildings, helping families meet the costs of renovation needs and giving businesses, including SMEs, incentives to switch to more sustainable practices.

European integration began with energy because our founding fathers knew how important it was. Europe now has an opportunity: to build a true Energy Union that ensures affordable energy, makes us less dependent on the Putins of this world, and protects the world and its people.

Explore the EPP Group's vision for a united and secure Europe with economic strength and social responsibility. We want to ensure that every European, regardless of their background, has a fair chance to earn a living and embrace the European way of life. Learn more about the EPP Group Priorities: A Europe that Protects YOU