15 June 2026

Merchants of Crisis: Energy security self-sabotage through Europe’s gas plants bonanza

The fossil gas industry is planning to build nearly 60 GW of new gas plants in the EU. If built and run at the same average capacity factor as the EU gas fleet in 2024, these plants would burn around 28 bcm of fossil gas every year. That is equivalent to 9% of the EU’s total gas imports in 2025, or the annual gas use of around 46.4 million average EU households. It’s now on national governments whether they will pander to fossil interests and support those going ahead. 

Politicians who support the interests of fossil fuel companies over renewables and clean flexibility are sabotaging Europe’s energy security and leaving households and businesses exposed to future price shocks. The geopolitical context keeps highlighting the continent’s exposure to fossil fuel shocks. Only a time-bound commitment to fossil fuel phase-out can serve as a permanent strategy for Europe’s energy security.

In the briefing “Merchants of Crisis: Energy security self-sabotage through Europe’s gas plants bonanza” Beyond Fossil Fuels explores Europe’s gas plant pipeline and implications for energy (in)security and the energy companies and politicians behind this gas plant dash.