Henrik Andersen, the CEO of wind power manufacturer Vestas, recently warned about the impending impact of geopolitical crises, such as the Iran conflict, on Europe’s energy stability. Speaking to the “Handelsblatt”, he stated that Europe has grown accustomed to its current level of prosperity, leading it to underestimate potential risks, suggesting that the most significant difficulties are yet to materialize.
Andersen emphasized that the European Union must take far stronger measures to achieve energy sovereignty. He criticized the EU for allowing other regions to maintain control over Europe’s vital energy supply, noting that the bloc often speaks extensively but fails to translate its rhetoric into corresponding action.
To address this, Andersen advocated for the establishment of a dedicated European Energy Manager. This manager would be responsible for overseeing the expansion of renewable energy sources during regular monthly meetings. He warned that if the current approach continues, the result will merely be the issuance of new directives across the EU. Furthermore, he predicted that even if all 27 member states are given three years to implement these measures, Europe will still remain 55% reliant on energy imports.