The EU unveils plan to fully end dependency on Russian energy by 2027

The European Commission has unveiled the REPowerEU Roadmap, which aims to end the EU’s dependency on Russian energy by 2027 by stopping the import of Russian gas and oil, as well as phasing out Russian nuclear energy, while ensuring stable energy supplies and prices across the EU. The roadmap sets out a gradual removal of Russian oil, gas and nuclear energy from the EU markets by the end of 2027. This includes Russian LNG imports as well. According to the European Commission, the measures have been designed to preserve the security of the EU's energy supply while limiting any impact on prices and markets. The measures will be accompanied by efforts to accelerate the Union’s energy transition and diversify its energy supplies. 

Regarding gas, the proposals will improve the transparency, monitoring and traceability of Russian gas across the EU markets. New contracts with suppliers of Russian gas (pipeline and LNG) will be prevented, and existing spot contracts will be stopped by the end of 2025. This measure aims to slash by 1/3 remaining EU supplies of Russian gas by the end of the year.  The Commission will further propose to stop all remaining imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027.  

In addition, the Commission will also put forward  actions to address Russia's shadow fleet transporting oil. Regarding nuclear, the proposals will include measures on Russian imports of enriched uranium, as well as restrictions on new supply contracts co-signed by the Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) for uranium, enriched uranium and other nuclear materials deriving from Russia. 

With the full implementation of the energy transition framework and the Action Plan for Affordable Energy, the EU is expected to replace up to 100 bcm of natural gas by 2030, which means a decrease in demand by 40-50 bcm by 2027. At the same time, LNG capacities are expected to increase by around 200 bcm by 2028, which is five times more than current EU imports of Russian gas.