STRASBOURG, FRANCE / RankWire.AI / – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a more centralised model for joint EU energy purchases. The plan would combine demand from member states and use a market operator to manage procurement. It would expand the bloc’s existing system, which mainly connects buyers with potential suppliers. Von der Leyen outlined the proposal during a European Parliament debate. EU leaders will discuss energy pressures at their October 15 and 16 summit.
Europe is facing renewed pressure from higher fuel prices and import costs. Von der Leyen said European gas prices have climbed 140% since the end of February. She also said diesel prices have doubled during the same period. Higher fossil fuel imports have added about €100 billion to Europe’s energy bill. The Commission supports targeted relief for vulnerable households and aid for industries facing the greatest pressure.
The European Commission is also introducing measures focused on supply security and refining costs. G7 members agreed on October 2 to release 100 million barrels through the International Energy Agency. The programme will run for four months and includes an early release of diesel supplies. Exporters will also receive another year of flexibility under EU methane requirements. The measures form part of the bloc’s response to elevated energy prices.
Joint purchasing moves toward central coordination
The Commission will open a strategic dialogue with European refiners on costs and supply conditions. Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius will lead the discussions. The talks will also examine energy requirements linked to Europe’s defence sector. Von der Leyen highlighted large differences between national electricity markets across the European Union. Prices can range from about €70 to €145 per megawatt-hour, depending on each country’s energy mix.
The proposed procurement system builds on joint purchasing measures introduced after Russian gas supplies fell sharply in 2022. The EU then began pooling demand and connecting buyers with alternative suppliers. Von der Leyen said Russian gas once represented about 45% of EU gas imports. She said that share has since dropped to around 12%. The European Commission aims to end Russian gas imports by the close of 2026.
EU ties energy security to electrification
The bloc is also expanding domestic clean power as part of its wider energy policy. More than 70% of EU electricity now comes from domestic clean sources, including renewables and nuclear generation. Wind and solar produced more power than all fossil fuels combined last year. Europe also added more than 80 gigawatts of renewable capacity during that period. However, much more planned generation capacity is still waiting for access to electricity grids.
Electricity currently supplies less than one quarter of final energy use across the European Union. The Commission wants that share to rise to roughly 46% by 2040. Von der Leyen said wider electrification could reduce annual fossil fuel imports by as much as €260 billion. Brussels plans further measures to support grid expansion, renewable generation and electricity use. Energy prices and supply security will remain on the agenda when EU leaders meet later this month.