Europe’s Gas Expansion Plans: Nearly 60 GW of New Plants Threaten Climate Goals

The 'Merchants of Crisis' report, published on 15 June 2026 by the campaign group Beyond Fossil Fuels, warns that EU governments are locking Europe into decades of fossil fuel dependence under the guise of energy security, just as volatile prices and rising US LNG reliance expose the fragility of that strategy . The report was released days ahead of the June 2026 European Council summit to pressure leaders to abandon new gas infrastructure and accelerate the clean energy transition .

Key findings

Nearly 60 GW of new gas capacity planned: The fossil gas industry is planning to build almost 60 GW of new gas-fired power plants across the EU . Germany, Poland, and Romania are the main drivers of this expansion .

Massive annual gas consumption: If built and run at 2024 average capacity factors, these plants would burn roughly 28 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas every year . That is equivalent to 9% of the EU's total gas imports in 2025 or the annual gas usage of 46.4 million average households .

Political timing: The report was published on 15 June 2026, just before the European Council summit later that month, to maximise pressure on EU leaders to rethink gas expansion plans .

Cost of inaction vs. transition: The report emphasises that accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels could deliver major savings. The EU spent around €340 billion on fossil fuel imports in 2025 alone , and gas price volatility — worsened by the March 2026 Middle East conflict closing the Strait of Hormuz — has already added an extra €24 billion to Europe's fossil fuel bill .

Deepening US LNG dependence: The US already supplies 55% of EU LNG imports (2025 figure from the European Commission) . Separate analysis suggests that share could rise to 80% of LNG supplies by 2028–2030, locking Europe into expensive American gas .

The core debate

The report frames the choice starkly: building nearly 60 GW of new gas plants risks a costly fossil fuel lock-in for decades, undermining both EU climate commitments and energy sovereignty . The alternative — ramping up renewables, efficiency, and grid investment — would cut import bills, reduce exposure to price shocks, and align with net-zero targets. The report labels the current trajectory "energy security self-sabotage" .