IEA Urges Europe to Accelerate Electrification to Catch Up with China
The International Energy Agency director warns that Europe has stagnated at 20% electrification for ten years, compared to 32% for China. Fatih Birol points to three major strategic errors by the continent.
| Countries | Chine, Allemagne, Russie, Suède |
|---|---|
| Companies | Northvolt, AIE, Union Européenne |
| Sector | Énergie Nucléaire |
| Theme | Politique & Géopolitique |
The International Energy Agency (IEA) calls on Europe to intensify the electrification of its economy. Speaking at a seminar in Stockholm, its director Fatih Birol highlighted the growing gap between the European continent and China. According to him, electricity’s share in total European energy consumption remains at 20%, unchanged for ten years. China now stands at 32%. Europe is entering “the age of electricity” without being its leader, according to the IEA head.
Signs of Slowdown in the European Transition
The European Union faces obstacles in its electrification efforts. In December, it abandoned its target to ban sales of new combustion engine vehicles from 2035, under pressure from the automotive sector and Germany. Berlin deemed the deadlines too short. This decision illustrates tensions between climate ambitions and industrial realities.
The bankruptcy of Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt in March 2025 represents another setback. The company, considered a cornerstone of European efforts to compete with Chinese electric vehicle battery manufacturers, ceased operations. Accumulated debts and production delays precipitated its collapse.
Three Strategic Errors Identified by the IEA
Fatih Birol points to three major mistakes in European energy policies over recent decades. The first concerns excessive dependence on Russia for natural gas supply. The second relates to the gradual abandonment of nuclear power by several countries on the continent. The third involves the delay accumulated in renewable energy innovation compared to China.
Nuclear data illustrates this imbalance. According to the IEA, 85% of nuclear power plants built worldwide over the past five years were constructed in China and Russia. This geographic concentration reflects Europe’s retreat in this sector.
A Call for Energy Diversification
The IEA director advocates a diversification strategy. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” he stated. He recommends not depending on a single country, a single trade route, or a single company for energy supplies. This warning comes amid an international context marked by crises and conflicts.
Fatih Birol states he sees “Europe’s future as being electric.” The continent should, in his view, be among the leaders of this transformation. The gap with China and recent difficulties in European industry raise questions about the continent’s ability to achieve this ambition.
