· 3 min read
Introduction
For decades, Europe has been dependent on fossil fuels imported from outside its borders such as gas from Russia, oil from the Middle East, LNG from the US etc. This dependency has left Europe vulnerable to price shocks, supply disruptions, and geopolitical manipulation. The energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was not just a wake-up call, it was a loud alarm that the old model no longer works.
In this context, Europe’s clean energy transition is more than an environmental imperative, it is a geopolitical necessity. But clean energy technologies require critical raw materials which also are currently supplied and refined mostly outside the EU. That's where the Critical Raw Materials Act and Europe’s own resource potential come in. By developing our domestic supply chains, we can power the transition and reclaim control over our energy future.
Europe’s untapped raw materials potential
Contrary to popular belief, Europe does have substantial reserves of the minerals required for batteries, renewable technologies, hydrogen electrolysers, and other clean tech. The European Commission recently identified 47 strategic projects across 13 EU countries, covering the extraction, processing, and recycling of key materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements.
Countries like Spain and Swedenhave significant mineable resources including sustainable lithium mining, nickel, copper, and cobalt. These projects are supported by faster permitting, financial backing, and streamlined regulations under the CRMA. demonstrating that Europe can and is beginning to secure its own critical supply chains.
Why this beats fossil fuel dependency
Unlike fossil fuels, which must be imported and burned continuously, critical minerals are used in long-lifetime infrastructure: solar panels, wind turbines, battery systems, electric vehicles, and hydrogen technologies. Once deployed, these systems produce clean energy without requiring ongoing fuel imports. That’s a fundamental shift in how energy is generated and consumed.
Fossil fuel supply chains are inherently insecure and geopolitically entangled. Europe diversified away from Russia following the Ukraine war to then only shift dependence to other regimes. Unfortunately many are politically unstable, environmentally destructive, or strategically unreliable. Meanwhile, oil and gas prices remain subject to global market fluctuations, OPEC+ decisions, and transatlantic trade politics, more so than ever.
In contrast, building up our own raw material supply chains within Europe creates local jobs, fosters economic resilience, and gives us long-term price stability. And as technologies mature, recycling and circular economy strategies will increasingly reduce the need for virgin materials. Something that fossil fuel use simply can’t match.
Energy sovereignty through clean technology
The combination of renewables, carbon capture, hydrogen, and sustainable mining creates a path to true energy sovereignty. Instead of being beholden to fossil fuel exporters, Europe can build an integrated clean energy system using largely domestic or friendly supply chains. This is not only better for the environment, it’s better for European industry, democracy, and citizens.
The alternative of clinging to fossil fuel infrastructure or returning to Russian gas in the event of a ceasefire for example, is a short-sighted trap. It would keep Europe tied to volatile, external supply chains and undermine both its climate commitments and its geopolitical stability.
Conclusion
Europe has a choice to make. It can continue down the path of fossil fuel dependency—outsourcing its energy security to regimes with questionable interests, or it can fully commit to building a clean, independent, and resilient energy system. The Critical Raw Materials Act shows that we have the tools, the resources, and the political will to do so. Combined with massive investments in renewables, hydrogen, and CCS, we can power a truly European energy future; one built on sovereignty, stability, and sustainability
illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.
