As an initial response to the challenges in the energy supply sector, the EU Commission presented the communication REPowerEU on 8 March 2022, followed by the detailed REPowerEU Plan on 18 May 2022. It aims to end the EU’s dependence on Russian energy supplies as soon as possible through diversification, energy savings and the expansion of renewable energies. Since 2022, a large part of the dependence on Russian fuels has already been reduced by banning most crude oil imports and restricting natural gas supplies. Still, since the start of the war, the EU has paid more than €200 billion for Russian energy, about half of which was spent on gas. The EU’s imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) have even increased in recent months, in spite of efforts to replace it with American supplies.

"Despite the significant reduction of the dependency on Russian fossil fuels in the last years, we were still importing 19 percent of Russian gas in 2024,“ said EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen ahead of the publication of the new roadmap. “This would not only jeopardise energy security but also make the EU vulnerable to economic blackmail and manipulation.”

The REPowerEU Roadmap, which was announced at the beginning of the legislative period and presented by the EU Commission on 6 May, is now set to reverse this trend once and for all and identify ways to completely end imports of Russian energy sources. Corresponding legislative proposals are to be presented in mid-June. The roadmap complements other recently published initiatives such as the Competitiveness Compass and the Clean Industrial Deal.

What's new?

The REPowerEU Roadmap is based on the 2022 plan. It focuses on the gradual phasing out of Russian oil, gas and nuclear energy from EU markets. The EU Commission wants to coordinate this in such a way that the impact on prices and markets is kept to a minimum. By the end of 2025, each country is to draw up a national plan setting out how it can contribute to this phase-out process. No new gas supply contracts with Russia are to be concluded in future, and all existing short-term contracts are to expire by the end of 2025. By 2027, the EU Commission also wants to have completely phased out all long-term contracts and thus all imports of Russian gas.

To achieve this, this process must be accompanied by other, non-legislative measures. If the frame work conditions for the energy transition and the Action Plan for Affordable Energy are fully implemented, LNG supplies are expected to rise rapidly while gas demand declines. In addition to diversifying energy sources, the existing infrastructure is to be better utilised and the joint procurement of non-Russian gas better organised.

This is accompanied by restrictive measures on the Russian 'shadow fleet', which is used to transport oil, and against the import of enriched Russian uranium. Restrictions are to be imposed on new supply contracts between the Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) and Russia. Instead, the aim is to increase domestic production in this area (SAMIRA Action Plan).

Hungary blocks

The plan is also a means of maintaining pressure on Russia as momentum for new, tough energy sanctions is fading. In particular, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wants to block any new energy restrictions — and has consistently threatened to overturn the EU's entire sanctions framework, which requires unanimous renewal every six months. Hence, the planned legal acts are not intended to be a new sanctions package but to take a different legislative form. Officials must now explore alternatives that would not require the approval of all 27 EU Member States. But even these options are met with resistance in Hungary: Hungarian EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi launched a procedural objection to the new roadmap shortly before it was presented on Tuesday. This step highlights the difficulties in reaching agreement here, even if it did not prevent the roadmap from being adopted in this case.

What is Austria’s position?

Austria is only marginally affected by the proposals, as it has effectively halted direct imports of Russian oil since February 2022 and has ceased receiving natural gas directly from Russia since January 1, 2025. However, indirect imports from neighbouring countries are still possible. In addition, Kazakhstan is Austria's main supplier of oil, most of which is transported via Russia. LNG imports from Russia have also increased by 12 per cent compared to 2023.

Current analyses, including those by the WIFO, show that Austria can compensate for a complete halt to Russian gas imports without serious price increases.  The non-legislative proposals on diversifying gas supplies and expanding LNG are therefore to be welcomed. However, care must be taken to ensure that the measures are implemented in such a way that they do not undermine the EU's decarbonisation targets.

What to look out for now

From AK's point of view, the central issue remains that of affordable energy, both for industry and households. Gas exchange prices are currently slightly higher than they were a year ago but remain significantly above pre-crisis levels. At the same time, gas storage levels in Europe and Austria are lower than last year, primarily due to a colder-than-usual winter. This poses the risk of rising gas prices. Alternative and diversified source markets and joint procurement are particularly important levers for the gas market to guarantee the lowest possible prices for consumers.

Further information:

EU Commission: EU to fully end its dependency on Russian energy

EU Commission: REPowerEU

AK EUROPA: REPowerEU: The EU Commission’s new plan for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy

POLITICO: Europe’s final plan to quit Russian energy: Enlist wary execs

A&W-Blog: EU-Aktionsplan leistbare Energie: Hoffnung auf leistbare Strompreise?  (EU Action Plan for Affordable Energy: Hope for affordable electricity prices) (German only)