Energy prices: Middle East tensions show why Europe must accelerate energy independence and activate AggregateEU

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament today warns that escalating tensions in the Gulf and the risk of disruptions to global energy exports underline the urgent need for Europe to strengthen its energy security and accelerate the clean transition.

Following reports that a widening conflict could force Gulf countries to halt energy exports within days, Renew Europe calls on the European Commission to immediately coordinate a European response to safeguard energy supply and stabilise markets.

Europe must act together to avoid price shocks for households and businesses. The Commission should stand ready to activate coordinated measures, including joint gas purchasing through AggregateEU and close cooperation with the International Energy Agency on strategic reserves if necessary.

At the same time, the crisis is a reminder that Europe’s long-term security depends on reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. Renew Europe urges the Commission to accelerate the rollout of the REPowerEU Plan, speed up renewable energy permitting and strengthen Europe’s electricity grids.

Europe’s response must be united, forward-looking and determined: energy independence is not only a climate goal — it is a matter of economic resilience and strategic security.

We call on the European Commission to come before the European Parliament next week to explain what urgent steps they will take secure energy supplies for European businesses and consumers.

Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66/Netherlands), Chair of Renew Europe’s working group on Sustainability and structural policies, says:

"European citizens are feeling the consequences of higher energy prices directly in their pockets. European leaders have to quit being in denial. We need to act decisively to reduce our dependence on energy imports: invest in clean energy, expand electricity grids and make homes for energy efficient."

Christophe Grudler (Mouvement Démocrate/France), coordinator for Renew Europe in the Committee of Industry, Research and Energy says:

"Four years after the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine, Europe is once again facing the dangers of its dependencies. The escalation in the Middle East must be a wake-up call: our energy security can no longer rely on geopolitical instability. It is unacceptable that we still import 58% of our energy.

We must accelerate the electrification and massively deploy our clean technologies. In the short term, the Commission must urgently reactivate AggregateEU to organise joint energy purchases and protect European consumers from another price surge.”