Europe has fallen behind China and the US in securing clean energy supplies due to “monumental mistakes” over the past decade, according to the head of the International Energy Agency. Fatih Birol criticized Europe for slowing the deployment of renewables while also failing to find alternatives to Russian gas imports.
Birol noted Europe invested less than $40 billion annually in clean energy from 2010-2020, compared to over $100 billion by China and $80 billion from the US. As a result, Europe lags in critical industries like solar panel manufacturing and electric vehicles. Its energy independence has also declined, with Russia supplying around 40% of EU gas before the war in Ukraine.
A key quote from Birol states: “If you look at the energy investments and policies of the last 10-15 years, Europe really took its eyes off the ball.” While the continent led globally in climate policy with the EU Emissions Trading System, this was not matched by real-world action on deploying low-carbon supplies.
The energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion is exposing Europe’s over-reliance on imported fossil fuels. Birol warns high prices may last for years and sees Europe’s energy security under threat without “a total transformation” of the scale witnessed during the oil shocks of the 1970s.
Going forward, Birol emphasizes the need for “massive investments” in renewables, nuclear, hydrogen and energy efficiency. However, projects face lengthy permitting delays in Europe compared to one to two years in China. The continent also needs to accelerate the replacement of fossil fuel boilers and vehicles with electric heat pumps and EVs.
Photo by Markus Spiske
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