EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has called for a more radical approach to Europe's energy transition, arguing that the bloc's vulnerability to geopolitical shocks demands a decisive shift toward homegrown energy sources. In an interview with Euronews, Hoekstra stressed that the EU cannot afford to repeat the pattern of half-measures that followed earlier crises.
“That means more electrification, more renewables, more heat pumps, more interconnectors between our member states, more nuclear,” Hoekstra said. “That whole mix is needed.”
His remarks come as Brent crude oil prices have surged above $100 per barrel (around €85) in early May 2026, driven by ongoing instability in the Middle East. The spike has created what analysts describe as a “third oil shock” for Europe, pushing up costs for electricity, gasoline, and virtually all manufactured and agricultural goods. Households face rising energy bills, and the European Commission has warned that energy poverty is an increasing risk, prompting initiatives to protect vulnerable consumers. The IMF has also urged the EU to sharpen relief measures for those most affected.
A History of Missed Opportunities
Hoekstra pointed to the oil crises of the 1970s as a cautionary tale. “The lesson is also that, after every previous crisis, we actually should have been more radical, we should have been more forward-leaning. And that is what we need to do now,” he said. He acknowledged that while Europe was right to reduce reliance on Russian gas, the subsequent shift to liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, Qatar, and other suppliers has not resolved the underlying problem. “Is that a completely safe bet? Well, I guess we have second thoughts about that, right?”
The Commissioner argued that Europe must prepare for further geopolitical turmoil, whether in three, five, or ten years. “We owe it to our citizens and our companies,” he said, to avoid burdening them with high prices during the next crisis.
Infrastructure Gaps and Investment Needs
Asked about the slow pace of infrastructure modernisation, Hoekstra conceded that “we have more homework to do.” Billions of euros are still required to expand the charging network for electric vehicles and upgrade power grids across the continent. “We're not yet meeting the bar,” he said. “So let's be as forward-leaning as we can because every euro invested in this transition is well spent, again, because we are so vulnerable.”
Gas, he noted, will remain a transition fuel for years, especially as energy demand rises due to developments in artificial intelligence and data centres. Even with ambitious efficiency measures, consumption is expected to increase rather than decline.
International Climate Cooperation After US Withdrawal
Hoekstra expressed regret over the complete withdrawal of the United States under President Donald Trump from global climate cooperation. “The reality is that Americans have checked out on this topic, and that is very unfortunate,” he said. “But I have to take the world as it is, not as I would like it to be.”
In response, Europe has strengthened ties with like-minded partners, including Norway, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, particularly Japan. Hoekstra highlighted the 2023 Climate Conference in Dubai, where “we managed to create this supermajority that crossed the north-south divide, and that is, I think, the name of the game going forward.”
The EU is also weighing measures such as suspending methane penalties to shield energy supply during the crisis, reflecting the delicate balance between climate goals and immediate security needs.
