Ending dependence on Russia’s energy: EU presents its REPowerEU plan and promises to support Eastern Partnership countries

The European Commission today unveiled the REPowerEU plan, its response to the difficulties and disruptions to the global energy market caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Commission says there is a double urgency to transform Europe’s energy system: ending the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels, which are used as an economic and political weapon and cost European taxpayers nearly €100 billion per year, and tackling the climate crisis.

The measures in the REPowerEU Plan can meet these ambitions by saving energy, diversifying energy supply and accelerating the introduction of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels in homes, industry and the energy sector.

The EU has been working with international partners to diversify supplies for several months, and has secured record levels of LNG imports and higher pipeline gas deliveries, says a press release by the European Commission.

The Commission also adopted the EU External Energy Strategy today, which will facilitate energy diversification and help to build long-term partnerships with suppliers, including cooperation on hydrogen or other green technologies.  

The Commission also said the EU would support Ukraine, Moldova, the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership countries, as well as other most vulnerable partners, in the face of Russia’s aggression. “With Ukraine we will continue to work together to ensure security of supply and a functioning energy sector, while paving the way for future electricity and renewable hydrogen trade, as well as rebuilding the energy system under the REPowerUkraine initiative,” says the announcement.

According to statistics, 85% of Europeans believe that the EU should reduce its dependency on Russian gas and oil as soon as possible to support Ukraine. 

Find out more

Press release

REPowerEU Plan