Europe's energy future: the plan to cut Russian fossil fuels and speed up the green transition

Europe has vowed to cut its reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027 by scaling up renewable energy. This transition away from oil and gas was already a key goal before the war in Ukraine as the EU seeks to become climate neutral by 2050. But how realistic and affordable are the latest plans?

Energy independence

Europe needs to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels as well as tackle climate change.

The European Commission has come up with its action plan - REPower EU - to end its dependency by 2027. This includes scaling and speeding up renewable energy.

It’s estimated that it will cost 210 billion euros, with major investment needed. This is where InvestEU, the EU’s flagship investment programme steps in.

Working in partnership with the European Investment Bank, it has a guarantee of 26 billion euros from the EU - which seeks to reassure investors. It is expected to bring in more than 370 billion euros in public and private financing. 

Its investments focus on four areas: sustainable investment, innovation, social inclusion and job creation. And at least 30% of these must contribute to making Europe carbon neutral. 

Part of the REPowerEU plan is to double Europe’s solar power capacity over the next two and a half years and Spain is one country where InvestEU is funding solar plants. 

Between Valladolid and Salamanca, there are solar panels as far as the eye can see. The area is home to seven solar parks, built since 2020, thanks in part to InvestEU. 

Silvia Alonso Guijarro, from solar energy company Solaria, told Euronews: "Spain is a great place to build these solar panels, solar plants, because we are one of the countries with more hours of sun per year. These seven solar photovoltaic plants have a capacity of 261