​Europe must secure its own energy supply 

​​This article is an English version of an op-ed originally published in Børsen.

​Written by Knud Erik Andersen, CEO and co-founder of European Energy.

​Recent geopolitical developments, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, show that Europe cannot base its future energy supply on fossil fuels. The EU should be independent of external energy suppliers. 

​The green transition has been a major success for Europe. The expansion of wind and solar energy in the EU meant that in 2022 alone, we saved approximately EUR 164 billion on imports of fossil fuels for electricity, heating, and transport, according to the report The State of Renewable Energies in Europe, 23rd edition, commissioned by the EU. 

​This is an important step in the right direction. 

​During the oil crises of the 1970s, it was not possible to replace fossil fuels on a large scale. Today, it is. The question is no longer whether we should expand renewable energy, but how quickly we can do it. 

​Recent geopolitical developments have also made it clear that Europe cannot base its future energy supply on fossil fuels. 

​The war in Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis was a clear example. The United States has since replaced a large part of the supply with liquefied natural gas, but political instability in Washington underscores the realization that the EU should not be dependent on external energy suppliers from either East or West.

​“As long as we remain dependent on fossil fuels, we place part of our prosperity, security, and growth in the hands of external actors.” 

​Now, as war has broken out in the Middle East involving Iran, we once again see energy prices rising sharply, reminding us how vulnerable the situation is. Global tensions are increasing, and one thing is clear: as long as we remain dependent on fossil fuels, we are handing over part of our prosperity, security, and growth to external actors. 

​The company I lead and co-founded today is called European Energy. When we chose the name in 2004, it reflected a core belief: that Europe—and European competitiveness—depends on our ability to produce the energy we need for our prosperity and growth. 

​The war in Ukraine, instability in the United States, and tensions in the Middle East have removed any doubt that energy is, and always has been, a matter of security policy. That is why the answer must be European energy. Today, the challenge is even more urgent, as key parts of society have become electrified. 

​Electric vehicles, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the rapid expansion of data centres are driving electricity consumption across Europe. The digital economy depends on stable power every second, and demand is only expected to increase. Securing stable and abundant electricity will increasingly be decisive for Europe’s economic competitiveness. 

​Renewable energy therefore plays a central role in ensuring Europe’s long-term energy security. ​Over the past decade, wind and solar have become the most cost-effective energy sources. Beyond being the cheapest, they are also universally accessible resources. They are not controlled by individual countries that can set prices or suddenly cut off supply. In principle, anyone can have a wind turbine, solar panels, and a battery in their backyard and supply themselves most of the time. 

​Expanding renewable energy reduces exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices and strengthens the resilience of the energy system. 

​However, true energy independence requires more than just more wind turbines and solar parks. It requires a modernization of Europe’s electricity infrastructure. 

​We already produce large amounts of renewable energy, but not always where or when demand is highest. A stronger and more interconnected European grid would enable electricity to be transported across borders and regions, balancing supply and demand more efficiently. Investments in high-voltage interconnectors, substations, and digital grid management will be essential to integrate large volumes of renewable energy. 

​At the same time, large-scale energy storage must play a central role. Wind and solar production vary with weather conditions, but modern battery systems can store excess electricity and release it when demand peaks or production falls. Large-scale storage therefore provides the flexibility needed to maintain stability in an energy system increasingly based on renewables. 

​Other technologies already contribute to this flexibility. For example, pumped-storage hydropower, particularly in countries like Norway and Austria, offers proven large-scale balancing capacity. Together, renewable generation, storage, and stronger grids can form the backbone of a robust European electricity system. 

​At the same time, Europe must continue developing new clean energy solutions for sectors that are difficult to electrify. Hydrogen and green fuels hold strong potential for industries such as steel production, aviation, and shipping. Scaling these technologies will require significant investment in production capacity, infrastructure, and market development, as well as clear and stable policy frameworks that support innovation and industrial deployment. 

​But technology alone does not ensure energy sovereignty—implementation is key. 

​Today, the challenge is the speed at which we expand renewable energy. 

“Bureaucracy must not become the brake that hands away our energy security.”

​Europe has adopted ambitious climate and energy targets, but progress is too often slowed by lengthy permitting processes, administrative barriers, fragmented national policies, and the slow expansion of electricity infrastructure.

​We have the technology, and our solutions are the most effective way to expand electricity capacity in Europe—but we lack speed. Bureaucracy must not become the bottleneck that gives away our energy security.

​In an increasingly uncertain world, renewable energy is Europe’s most reliable path to long-term energy security. Europe and Denmark must therefore act faster. By accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, investing in modern grids and storage, and strengthening supply chains for clean technologies, the continent can build an energy system that is both sustainable and sovereign.

​In doing so, Europe can not only shield its economy from external shocks, but also lay the foundation for long-term stability, competitiveness, and peace in our part of the world.