Europe’s Gas Power Expansion Threatens Climate Goals, Report Warns

80 GW of New Gas Plants Risk Undermining Decarbonisation Commitments
A new report by Beyond Fossil Fuels highlights the growing concern over Europe’s increasing dependence on gas-fired power generation, with several nations planning to add 80 GW of new gas capacity by 2030. This represents a 32% increase in Europe’s existing gas power capacity, raising alarm about the potential to undermine the EU’s climate commitments. The report stresses that building new gas power plants is incompatible with the urgent need to decarbonize Europe’s energy sector and achieve net-zero emissions targets.

Key Gas-Dependent Nations: Italy, UK, and Germany Lead Expansion Plans
These Countries Account for Half of New Gas Power Capacity
Italy, the UK, and Germany, the three largest gas consumers in Europe, are set to drive the majority of this new gas infrastructure. Together, they are responsible for 45% of Europe’s current gas-fired power generation capacity and plan to add significant new gas plants in the coming years. Despite their decarbonisation pledges, including the UK’s ambition to achieve a clean power system by 2030, these nations lack concrete plans to retire existing gas plants or halt the construction of new ones. Beyond Fossil Fuels argues that such expansions directly contradict their climate goals, locking Europe into fossil fuel dependency for decades.

Eastern Europe Expands Gas Power Despite EU Climate Pledges
Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria Increasing Gas Plant Capacity
In Eastern Europe, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria are also increasing their gas power generation capacity. Collectively, these countries plan to raise their gas plant capacity from 9 GW to 24 GW, partly funded by EU modernization funds. While these expansions are marketed as steps toward “modernising” power systems, the report from Beyond Fossil Fuels highlights the risk that these projects will undermine the EU’s broader renewable energy transition. By continuing to expand gas infrastructure, these countries may delay the necessary shift toward cleaner energy sources and exacerbate Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Underinvestment in Renewables Threatens Energy Transition
Funds Diverted from Clean Energy Solutions to Gas Infrastructure
The report also points to a troubling trend of underinvestment in essential renewable energy infrastructure, such as electricity grids, storage, and clean energy technologies. Instead, substantial investments are being directed towards gas exploration, extraction, and the expansion of gas infrastructure, including pipelines and terminals. This diversion of funds could slow the deployment of renewable energy and storage systems, delaying Europe’s transition to a low-carbon energy system and locking the region into fossil fuel reliance for longer than necessary.

Europe’s Energy Future: A Race Against Climate Deadlines
Urgent Action Needed to Achieve Net-Zero Targets by 2050
In 2023, fossil gas accounted for 24% of Europe’s electricity generation, with only a small number of countries—like Bosnia and Herzegovina—being free from operational gas plants. The Beyond Fossil Fuels database shows that, of the 855 gas power plants in Europe, only four have been retired since January 2023. Only seven plants are officially set to close by 2035, by which time the International Energy Agency (IEA) recommends that developed nations must decarbonize to stay on track for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Without significant changes in investment priorities, Europe may struggle to meet its climate targets and secure a sustainable, renewable energy future.