IN LONDON: Amid the ongoing Middle East war, the European Commission is working on a revision of the existing energy security of supply framework, to address new challenges.
This news comes after the world experienced disruptions of energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, influencing energy security.
The Strait of Hormuz is a waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which an average of 20 million barrels per day of crude oil and oil products are shipped — making it one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints.
As a result of the EU’s preparedness measures, EU countries and the European Commission confirm there are no immediate security of oil or gas supply concerns at this stage.
EU’s energy security
When it comes to oil, gas, and electricity, the EU’s energy security policy ranges from prevention and preparedness to action and solidarity. The EU’s security of supply is more resilient than during Russia’s weaponisation of energy supplies in 2022.
A range of energy security measures have been taken since, complementing the pre-existing and extensive energy security framework. With these measures, the commission says it is more prepared to withstand energy crises when they emerge.
The EU is aiming to diversify its energy supplies, such as importing oil and gas from various trustworthy partners, and eliminating all fossil fuel imports from Russia, as part of the REPowerEU Roadmap.
According to the commission, the share of Russian gas in total EU gas imports decreased from 45% in 2021 to 12% in 2025. In 2025, the EU imported 31% of its gas from Norway, 26% from the US, 13% from North Africa, and 4% each from Azerbaijan and Qatar.
The EU also aims to store sufficient stocks of oil and gas, ensuring all EU countries maintain emergency stocks of crude oil and petroleum products.
By expanding electrification, the EU reduces the dependency on fossil fuels and raises the uptake of more homegrown renewable energy generation, strengthening the energy system.
EU’s energy mix
In 2024, the EU’s energy mix included crude oil and petroleum products (38%), natural gas (21%), renewable energy (20%), nuclear energy (12%), and solid fuels (10%). The EU produced 43% of its own energy, while 57% was imported.
According to the commission, almost half of the energy produced in the EU came from renewable sources, accounting for 48%. This was followed by nuclear (28%), solid fuels (15%), natural gas (5%), and crude oil (3%).
Meanwhile, the continent’s energy imports are dominated by fossil fuels. In 2024, petroleum products accounted for 67% of the EU’s energy imports, followed by natural gas (24%), solid fossil fuels (4%), electricity (3%), and renewable energy (2%).
The European Commission says the EU is preparing for new risks, including protecting energy infrastructure from cyberattacks and physical threats, as well as securing the supply of critical raw materials — such as lithium, nickel, and rare earths.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: The European Commission
