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

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" .