Three European nations—Italy, the UK, and Germany—are particularly dependent on fossil gas for their electricity generation needs, highlighting a significant reliance on this carbon-intensive resource.
According to a new report, the increasing emphasis on gas-fired power generation across Europe poses a serious threat to the continent’s climate commitments, potentially locking nations into fossil fuel use for decades to come. The briefing from the advocacy group Beyond Fossil Fuels reveals that various European countries plan to add a staggering 80 gigawatts (GW) of new gas-fired power capacity, marking a 32 percent increase over the current capacity levels.
As these countries strive to establish themselves as leaders in global climate policy at the upcoming COP29 conference, the expanded reliance on fossil gas could dramatically undermine their transition to cleaner energy sources, entrenching high-carbon power systems in the process.
“We didn’t enter the digital age by bulk buying typewriters, and we won’t build a clean power system by constructing so many new gas plants,” emphasized Alexandru Mustață, a campaigner with Beyond Fossil Fuels.
The report warns that Europe’s ambitious plans for developing new gas power infrastructure stand in stark contrast to the climate targets set by many nations. Such overbuilding could secure decades of fossil fuel reliance, a trajectory that risks exacerbating the ongoing climate crisis.
Where in Europe is adding the most gas power?
Beyond Fossil Fuels has conducted an extensive analysis of both the current and future gas power plans of six European countries: Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland.
Italy, the UK, and Germany are notably responsible for half of all planned new gas installations, already accounting for approximately 45 percent of Europe’s total gas power capacity. While governments in all three nations claim a commitment to decarbonizing their respective power sectors by the year 2035, their plans may lack the necessary execution.
Among these nations, the UK has set the most aggressive timeline, aiming for a fully clean power grid by 2030. Just last week, the National Energy System Operator confirmed that this goal is attainable, provided that gas power capacity does not increase beyond 2023 levels.
However, Italy, the UK, and Germany currently lack robust plans to cease operations of fossil gas at their more than 900 existing gas power plants, raising concerns over the establishment of new facilities. The briefing suggests that intentions to expand gas capacity could significantly undermine the credibility of these nations’ decarbonization ambitions.
In addition, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria have collectively set plans to elevate their gas plant capacity from 9 GW to a substantial 24 GW. Beyond Fossil Fuels asserts that a significant number of these projects are receiving funding through taxpayer money or EU resources intended to modernize their power systems and enhance economic sustainability.
Can Europe get rid of gas power before time runs out?
In the year 2023, fossil gas was responsible for generating 24 percent of Europe’s total electricity supply, while 17 percent of this output originated from within the EU. Notably, only a few countries—Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Luxembourg, Kosovo, and Cyprus—have no operational gas power plants.
Out of the 855 gas power plants identified in the Beyond Fossil Fuels database, a mere four have ceased operations since January 2023, and only seven are officially slated for closure by 2035. This date marks the deadline set by the International Energy Agency for developed countries to achieve substantial decarbonization, in order to maintain compliance with a 1.5C warming trajectory.
Furthermore, the report highlights critical underinvestment in essential components required for a renewable-based power system, such as electricity grids and storage solutions. Instead of funding these vital areas, significant resources are being diverted toward gas exploration, extraction, and developing associated infrastructure like pipelines and terminals.
Beyond Fossil Fuels warns that these upcoming projects could deepen the European continent’s reliance on imported fossil fuels from less-than-friendly regimes, while simultaneously diverting crucial funds away from the necessary advancements in renewables, electricity grids, and storage technologies.
– What are the main reasons for Italy, the UK, and Germany’s increased reliance on fossil gas for electricity generation?
**Interview with Alexandru Mustață, Campaigner with Beyond Fossil Fuels**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Alexandru. Your recent report highlights a concerning trend among several European nations heavily investing in gas-fired power generation. Can you elaborate on why Italy, the UK, and Germany are particularly dependent on fossil gas for their electricity needs?
**Alexandru Mustață:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. Italy, the UK, and Germany have considerable fossil gas infrastructure in place, which makes them reliant on gas for stable and efficient electricity generation. This dependency is further exacerbated by the current energy crisis, which has led governments to prioritize immediate energy needs over long-term climate goals. Unfortunately, this has resulted in plans to expand gas capacity rather than reduce it.
**Editor:** Your report mentions a planned 32% increase in gas-fired power capacity across Europe, amounting to around 80 gigawatts. How does this contradict Europe’s climate commitments?
**Alexandru Mustață:** The planned expansion stands in stark contrast to the climate targets that many European nations have set. While these countries promote their commitment to decarbonization, building new gas power plants can lock them into a high-carbon future and hinder efforts to transition to renewable energy sources. It’s essential to recognize that investing in fossil gas infrastructure is essentially a step back when we should be moving forward with cleaner alternatives.
**Editor:** How might this push for more gas-fired power impact the upcoming COP29 climate conference?
**Alexandru Mustață:** This reliance on fossil gas could significantly undermine the credibility of countries like Italy, the UK, and Germany on the global stage. While they are positioning themselves as leaders in climate policy, their actions suggest otherwise. If they continue to expand fossil fuel usage, it contradicts the very commitments they’ll be presenting at COP29 and may weaken their negotiating power in discussions about global climate action.
**Editor:** The report highlights that the UK is aiming for a completely clean power grid by 2030. What does the report suggest about the feasibility of this goal in light of expanding gas capacity?
**Alexandru Mustață:** The UK has set an ambitious target that is technically achievable, but it hinges on maintaining gas capacity at current levels or lower. Any increase would jeopardize this goal. The National Energy System Operator has confirmed this, so it becomes crucial for the UK government to halt new gas developments and focus on accelerating the transition to renewable energy to fulfill its commitment.
**Editor:** With nations like Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria also under scrutiny for their gas power plans, what do you think is required for a collective shift away from fossil fuels?
**Alexandru Mustață:** We need a concerted effort from all nations to prioritize renewable energy development and phase out fossil fuel infrastructure. This includes having robust plans for transitioning away from existing gas plants and investing in technology that can support clean energy generation. Without a unified approach, individual countries may fall into the trap of expanding fossil gas capacity, further complicating the transition to a sustainable energy future.
**Editor:** Thank you, Alexandru, for your insights on this critical issue. It’s clear that the decisions made today will have long-lasting implications for Europe’s climate goals.
