Gas Expansion in the Guise of Security: Is Europe Making the Energy Crisis Permanent?
Gas expansion in the guise of security – The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has thrown Europe’s energy strategy into question, revealing a troubling pattern of fossil fuel dependency. Despite the recent surge in energy costs, EU governments are now accelerating plans to expand gas infrastructure, potentially entrenching the continent in a long-term reliance on volatile energy markets. A new analysis warns that these developments could lock Europe into a fossil fuel-dominated energy system for decades, undermining efforts to transition toward sustainable alternatives.
The Hidden Cost of Energy Security
According to the Merchants of Crisis report released by the environmental campaign group Beyond Fossil Fuels on 15 June, the EU’s current energy plan includes building nearly 60 gigawatts of gas-powered plants. This would add significant new capacity to the region’s grid, yet it risks deepening fossil fuel dependence. The report calculates that these plants would consume approximately 28 billion cubic metres of gas annually, matching the energy needs of over 46 million households. This figure represents nearly 9% of the EU’s projected gas imports, a proportion that has grown in tandem with the rising prices of natural gas.
Since the conflict began, energy costs in Europe have skyrocketed, with natural gas prices climbing by 60% in just a few months. The crisis has also exposed the EU’s inadequate energy reserves, as gas storage levels in February 2026 stood at 46 billion cubic metres—well below the 60 billion cubic metres recorded a year earlier. This shortfall has left households and businesses vulnerable to price volatility, intensifying the cost-of-living crisis. Energy bills have surged, forcing families to cut back on heating and utilities, while industries face mounting financial pressure.
“Building more gas plants will not shield people from future crises—it will entrench fossil fuel dependence and reward energy firms at the expense of consumers,” says Juliet Phillips, a campaigner with Beyond Fossil Fuels. “The true path forward is to accelerate the shift to renewables, storage, and clean energy solutions, not to repeat the same mistakes.”
The report argues that a powerful alliance between political leaders and energy corporations is steering Europe toward a self-sustaining cycle of fossil fuel reliance. By framing gas expansion as a necessary step for energy security, this coalition is ensuring that the EU’s energy infrastructure remains heavily reliant on imports, even as the long-term risks of climate change and market instability grow. The strategy prioritizes short-term economic gains over sustainable energy transitions, leaving households exposed to future price shocks.
Germany’s Energy Dilemma
Germany serves as a prime example of this trend. The country’s government has committed to adding 12 gigawatts of gas-fired power capacity by 2031, with 10 of those gigawatts designated for hydrogen-ready facilities. While this is a reduction from the original 20 gigawatts proposed in 2030, the scale of the plan remains substantial, adding to Germany’s existing 31 gigawatts of gas capacity. The government insists that all new gas plants must incorporate decarbonization measures by 2045, though the method—carbon capture and storage (CCS)—is criticized for being unproven and economically uncertain.
Katherina Reiche, the Energy Minister, has played a central role in this push. Her tenure has seen a consistent alignment with the gas industry, fueled by years of work with E.ON’s subsidiary Westenergie AG and the VKU lobby group. These ties have shaped her policy decisions, including advocating for relaxed net-zero deadlines to protect domestic industries and slashing subsidies for solar and grid projects. Recently, she also supported the reversal of Germany’s renewables-focused Heating Act, which had aimed to reduce fossil fuel use in residential heating.
Germany’s energy strategy highlights a broader issue: the existing system was designed around fossil fuels, and its modernization now depends on expanding gas infrastructure. Even as the Mintia thermal power plant—the EU’s largest gas-fired facility—preps for operation, EU grid regulators have raised concerns about its economic viability by 2035. This contradiction underscores the tension between political promises and technical feasibility, with the public bearing the brunt of the financial strain.
Poland and Romania: State-Owned Leverage
The report also points to Poland and Romania as countries where state ownership of energy companies exerts considerable influence on policy. In Poland, the government holds majority stakes in key utilities, including PGE and ENEA, and is the largest shareholder in energy conglomerates Orlen and Tauron. This control ensures that fossil fuel interests remain central to national energy planning, even as renewable energy projects lag in funding and development.
Romania’s situation mirrors this dynamic, with Romgaz, its primary gas producer, being 70% state-owned. The state also owns 20.7% of oil company OMV Petrom, creating a dual influence over both gas and oil sectors. These companies are collaborating on the Neptun Deep project, a €4 billion initiative set to double Romania’s gas output by 2027. Critics argue that such investments lock the country into an energy model that is increasingly unsustainable, especially as global markets remain unpredictable.
Both Poland and Romania exemplify how state ownership can perpetuate fossil fuel dominance. Despite EU efforts to promote renewable energy, these nations continue to prioritize traditional sources, partly due to the financial and political clout of their energy sectors. The report suggests that this alignment between government and industry is not accidental but a calculated move to ensure continued reliance on fossil fuels, even in the face of climate goals.
Call for a New Energy Vision
Beyond Fossil Fuels urges EU nations to adopt a more forward-thinking approach to energy security. The group emphasizes the need for a comprehensive strategy that combines renewable energy development, grid modernization, and energy storage solutions. This would reduce dependence on volatile imports and create a more resilient energy system. Critics like the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) echo this sentiment, warning that carbon capture and storage remains a costly and unproven technology.
Germany’s current energy crisis has already led to some of the highest electricity prices in the EU, with 95% of its gas consumption sourced from abroad. This exposure to global markets has made the country particularly vulnerable, as geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions can send prices soaring. The report stresses that without a shift toward renewables, Europe risks repeating the same energy vulnerabilities in the future, creating a cycle of crisis that could last for generations.
As the EU grapples with these challenges, the debate over energy security continues to shape policy decisions. While gas expansion is framed as a safeguard against future shortages, the long-term consequences of this approach are becoming clear. By investing in fossil fuel infrastructure, the continent may be ensuring that the energy crisis becomes a permanent feature of its economic landscape. The path forward, however, lies in redefining energy security to include sustainable solutions, rather than reinforcing the very systems that contributed to the current crisis.
