Europe is still dependent on energy supplies from around the world, also in terms of renewable energy: “75 to 97 percent of solar cells are currently imported from China. Taiwan is a major manufacturer of microchips,” says Finnish climate researcher Paula Kivimaa, who works as a professor at the SYKE environmental institute in Helsinki. She has also worked on the interdisciplinary report “Security of Sustainable Energy Supplies” by the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC), whose secretariat is hosted at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW). The report highlights the risks and opportunities of the energy transition and security in Europe. 

Has Russia's attack on Ukraine changed energy policy in Europe? 

Kivimaa: Many countries have long ignored the massive geopolitical risks to their energy supply. Given their history, Eastern member states such as Estonia, which border directly on Russia, were much more sceptical. However, all EU countries now realise that a common strategy is needed to guarantee a secure, sustainable energy supply. For most member states, the expansion of renewable energies has the additional advantage of reducing their dependence on imported fossil fuels and instead covering as much of their own energy demands as possible themselves.

We also see that a decentralised energy supply is far more secure, not least in the event of war.

At the same time, the aim must be to better integrate the European energy system. We produce a lot of wind energy in Finland, for example, which we also export to our neighbouring countries. At times when it is not so windy, we can in turn obtain electricity from Sweden and Norway. I think this is a very efficient approach that benefits everyone involved. We also see that a decentralised energy supply is far more secure, not least in the event of war. Large structures become easier targets for attack - with devastating consequences for entire regions. In Ukraine, we observed that hospitals with solar modules were able to repair damage to their energy systems much more quickly and continue working.

Scienctific Perspectives on Energy Security 

How did the report ‘Security of Sustainable Energy Supplies’ come about? 

Kivimaa: The basic idea was to bring together an interdisciplinary team of scientists from various European countries to discuss the impact of a sustainable energy supply on our security - from technical to geopolitical aspects.  But cyber security is also a key issue that we are addressing in detail. 

The best thing about sustainable energy is that we are independent of energy imports as soon as the plants are up and running.

Are there other risks associated with the new technology? 

Kivimaa: The best thing about sustainable energy is that we are independent of energy imports as soon as the plants are up and running. Wind and sunshine do not have to be imported. One risk, however, is that many renewable energy technology components aren't produced in the EU, which means that at the moment, further expansion is only possible with technology from abroad. 75-97 per cent of solar cell components are currently imported from China. Taiwan is a major producer of microchips. If supply disruptions were to arise with these countries, this dependency would be clearly noticeable. However, the energy transition also means that we are switching from fossil natural gas to electrified systems. This is also accompanied by increased digitalisation, which must be prepared for cyber attacks. So it's also about a lack of knowledge and technical challenges. 

Recommendations for Policymakers

Does this report also include recommendations to EU politicians? 

Kivimaa: Yes, absolutely. Since 2022, the European Commission has taken numerous initiatives to address the situation. We hope to give EU policymakers further support and suggestions how to improve policy in terms of energy and security. More and more, it is also about involving citizens. People with low incomes in particular need more information and better opportunities to be able to benefit economically from the energy transition. 

An entire street or group of houses can produce and use energy together.

What could that look like in practice?

Kivimaa: If you have your own house, you can install solar panels and heat pumps to produce energy yourself. Decentralisation is becoming increasingly important, so an entire street or group of houses can produce and use energy together. In the conventional system, it is large, centralised power plants that supply the energy - and the consumers are passive. It is important to focus on decentralised technologies locally.

How difficult is it to find a common path at EU level?

Kivimaa: The member states are organised very differently, especially when it comes to gas grids. In my home country of Finland, there has long been a trend away from centralised, fossil-fuelled heating plants towards local heating or heat pumps. So there are alternatives already. Storing electricity in batteries is also becoming more efficient, so that households can sell surplus solar energy to the grid.