New technologies are needed to help break the EU’s dependence on foreign energy supplies
Farooq Sher, senior lecturer and policy fellow in net zero and energy transition in the Department of Engineering at Nottingham Trent University.
Europe’s response to the current global energy crisis depends on its ability to develop research and innovation policies that address long-term vulnerabilities. It is not sufficient to think in terms of diversifying suppliers; rather, it is about enhancing capabilities in technologies and systems that eliminate dependence on foreign suppliers.
However, the risk here is not that Europe lacks ambition, but that its current focus on competitiveness may undermine its long-term science base, compromising its security of supply.
There is a growing debate in Brussels over whether new funding tools could inadvertently alter this balance. Coverage by Science|Business has highlighted concerns about the potential impact of the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) on the autonomy and the strategic role of Horizon Europe. This is a critical issue.
Energy security does require mission-oriented investment of the kind proposed for the ECF, but it also depends on robust collaborative research systems, leading universities, borderless talent and scientific depth. Breakthroughs in storage chemistries, electrolysers, advanced materials, digital twins and carbon management systems cannot be driven by short-term priorities.
For this reason, Europe's research policy must be strategic and balanced. The European Commission has proposed an increased budget of approximately €175 billion for the next Horizon Europe. At the same time, the Clean Industrial Deal aims to mobilise more than €100 billion in funding for clean manufacturing and industrial transformation in Europe. These are significant commitments, but unless they are coordinated in line with long-term energy security priorities there is a risk they will be fragmented by short-term funding imperatives.
A more focused approach to research and development should prioritise energy-system integration. Europe has made measurable progress in clean electricity. According to Eurostat, renewables accounted for approximately 47.3% of EU electricity generation in 2024, while fossil fuels declined to around 29.2%.
However, generation alone does not guarantee resilience. Without parallel investment in grid infrastructure, energy storage, flexibility and digital optimisation, a cleaner system may still be vulnerable to stress.
Industrial transformation
A second priority should be industrial transformation. The relationship between Europe’s energy security and its industrial strength and adaptability is significant. Industries such as steel, chemicals, fertilisers, cement and high-end materials are at the heart of Europe’s economic performance and strategic potential, but are increasingly threatened by energy price volatility and pressure to decarbonise.
The way forward for these industries is through sustained investment in research, demonstration and deployment of solutions in areas such as industrial electrification, low-carbon heat, and hydrogen, where appropriate. Such paths have already been set out in Commission strategies for industry such as the Clean Industrial Deal.
The need to align research policy with the imperatives of energy security is underscored by the recent war in the Middle East, which has called into question global supplies of oil and gas. Europe’s structural exposure remains significant.
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According to Eurostat, the EU’s energy import dependency stood at 58.4% in 2023. More recent data from the Commission data shows that liquefied natural gas accounted for 45% of the EU's total gas imports in 2025, while domestic production covered only 10%. These figures reveal how dependent Europe still is on imported energy.
Even if Europe has demonstrated its capacity to respond to energy shocks, the current global crisis underscores the need for more action. The next step is clearly to further align research, innovation and industrial policies with long-term objectives for energy supply security.
Energy security is no longer just about supply security risks; it is about laying the scientific, technological and industrial foundations that will make these risks less decisive in the long term.
Farooq Sher is senior lecturer and policy fellow in net zero and energy transition in the Department of Engineering at Nottingham Trent University.
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