Rising energy costs tied to fossil fuels, grid gaps, says EU commission chief

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has identified the EU’s reliance on fossil fuels and a lack of interconnectivity between power grids as the main reasons for high energy prices.

Speaking on February 11 at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, she stressed the need to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy sources, Caliber.Az reports.

“Prices remain too high and too volatile. And we know why. It is because of lack of interconnection and grids, and our reliance on fossil fuels. The data is as clear as daylight,” von der Leyen said.

She noted that in 2025, electricity from gas cost over €100 per megawatt-hour, compared with €34 for solar and €50–60 for nuclear power. “Low-carbon energies are not only homegrown and clean. They give us more independence, more security, and they bring costs down. This is why today, we are investing heavily in low-carbon energy,” she added.

Von der Leyen highlighted that last year the EU produced more electricity from solar and wind than from all fossil fuels combined, while nuclear generation continues to grow.

She emphasised that completing a single energy market also means completing the Energy Union: “To lower and stabilise costs, we need the infrastructure for a true Energy Union.”

The Commission president also announced the first project under the “European Grids” package: the Bornholm energy island, which will connect Denmark and Germany and provide up to 3 GW of offshore wind power. 

“The goal is simple. Clean energy must flow freely all across our Union,” she said.

By Jeyhun Aghazada