In response to the hardships and global energy market disruption caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission is implementing its REPowerEU Plan to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports.

Launched in May 2022, REPowerEU is helping the EU to

• save energy
• diversify energy supplies
• produce clean energy

Thanks to REPowerEU, we've safeguarded EU citizens and businesses from energy shortages, supported Ukraine by weakening Russia's war chest, accelerated the transition to clean energy and stabilised prices.

Putin's attempt to divide Europe by weaponising energy supplies has failed. Our joint efforts continue and Europe is now better prepared and more united than ever.

Ensuring we are winter-ready

To avoid blackouts and energy shortages, the EU now has a system in place to fill up gas storage ahead of every winter.

In 2022, EU Member States agreed to fill underground gas storage to 80% of capacity by 1 November 2022. By working together, EU countries surpassed this, instead reaching 95% of gas storage capacity .

The yearly target has since been increased, with Member States now expected to reach 90% of capacity by 1 November. In 2023, we already reached this target in mid-August.

At the end of the winter heating season this year, on 1 April 2024, gas storage levels were at 59% of total capacity. That is a record at the close of the winter season, and a good starting point for refilling for next year.

Ensuring greater diversity in our supply of energy means that if one source suddenly gets cut off, the effects are felt less acutely. Trading with reliable energy partners while producing more home-grown renewables greatly improves the resilience of our energy system.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, it became clear that the EU needed alternative ways to ensure its energy supply. At the outbreak of the invasion, almost half of EU gas imports were sourced from Russia, and Russia weaponised this over-reliance to try and harm our economy and undermine our support for Ukraine.

Fast forward two years, and the EU energy landscape has changed significantly.

Since the adoption of the REPowerEU Plan, the EU has drastically phased down Russian fossil fuel imports and diversified its supplies. EU sanctions have banned seaborne imports of Russian crude oil and refined petroleum products as well as Russian coal. Imports of Russian gas have significantly dropped, setting the EU on track to phase them out completely in the coming years.

Securing affordable energy

Energy prices in Europe have declined substantially compared to the peaks in 2022, thanks to the coordinated European response and the REPowerEU Plan. Europe is investing in producing clean and affordable energy and securing its energy independence.

Following the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU proposed common gas procurement to make sure that Europeans have access to affordable energy and avoid any energy supply disruptions. This system allowed us to start buying a share of our gas needs together, as Europeans, and not competing among ourselves for scarce supplies.