Europe’s Roadmap to Energy Independence by 2040

Europe’s long-term energy security is no longer optional; it is the foundation of a sovereign foreign policy and competitive industry. Analyst Marcos Agustín outlines a clear 2040 target that could finally break the continent’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

The EU must aim for 55-60% of its electricity from renewables, including solar, wind, and hydro, while lifting nuclear power’s share to at least 25-30% from today’s roughly 23%. Together, these steps would slash external oil and gas dependence below 20%, giving Brussels genuine leverage on the world stage.

The numbers are ambitious but achievable. Renewables have already scaled dramatically; the missing piece is firm baseload power. Nuclear expansion, through both new builds and life extensions, provides exactly that. With Russia’s cheap energy era now over, Germany’s painful lesson underscores the cost of inaction. Higher energy prices have already eroded industrial competitiveness across the bloc.

Investors and policymakers alike should track nuclear permitting progress and renewable auction results as leading indicators of Europe’s re-industrialization potential. Energy independence is the new sovereignty.