Why Europe's push for energy sovereignty could fail at the last mile
7 apr. 2026
16:09
Europe's energy grid is failing to keep pace with the renewables revolution, and without urgent modernisation, sovereignty will remain out of reach, writes Taco Engelaar, SVP and managing director at energy tech unicorn Neara in this opinion piece.
Europe’s energy security is under threat. The fallout from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is once again exposing the fragility of our energy system, and households, businesses and communities are paying the price.
This is not our first wake-up call. Anybody who’s paid an energy bill since 2022 will be familiar with the vulnerability that came with our reliance on Russian natural gas. The price spikes, supply disruptions, and emergency policy measures we’ve seen across Europe since then are symbolic of a system that has, for too long, prioritised short-term efficiency over long-term resilience.