Von Der Leyen Takes on Europe’s Refineries Amid Energy Crunch
The Commission will seek lower fuel costs and stronger supply security as EU refining capacity has dropped 20% since 2009, officials said.
- On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new "strategic dialogue" on European refineries, addressing the EU's 20% decline in refining capacity since 2009 that has intensified import reliance.
- Surging energy prices increased Europe's spending on fossil fuel imports by €100 billion since February, as natural gas prices rose 140 per cent and diesel prices doubled, straining households and businesses.
- Europe relies on imports from the Middle East, the United States, and India following 35 refinery closures since 2009, while the G7 recently released 100 million barrels of oil and diesel for immediate relief.
- An electrification action plan unveiled by von der Leyen aims to double electricity's share in final energy consumption by 2040, potentially reducing the EU's fossil fuel import bill by around €260 billion annually.
- While Green MEP Michael Bloss advocates for electrification over refining capacity, others stress that maintaining domestic refining remains of "significant strategic relevance" for defence sector fuel supplies.
82 Articles
82 Articles
In this way, the EU would prevent the shocks and crises associated with the import of fossil fuels.
Von der Leyen takes on Europe’s refineries amid energy crunch
Europe wants to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, but while it still relies heavily on oil — particularly diesel — reducing the infrastructure that processes that oil has increased vulnerability during the green transition.
Ursula von der Leyen called for action and reinforced the need to tackle "structural problems" which leave Europe exposed to market volatility through a "directed" response.
Support should be directed to those who really need it and be temporary, says von der Leyen The post Von der Leyen: "Forget horizontal energy benefits" appeared first on in.gr.
Ursula von der Leyen urged strategic decisions to ensure Europe's energy independence in a European Parliament debate ahead of the EU summit, stressing the need to replace fossil fuels with clean European electricity. According to the Commission President, doubling the rate of electricity use could reduce the EU's annual fossil fuel imports by around €260 billion by 2040. Von der Leyen warned that rising energy prices had increased Europe's ener…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
