05. 12. 2025
AUTHOR: Strategic Perspectives
On 2 December 2025, Strategic Perspectives hosted a high-level event in Brussels titled “Boosting the Electrification of the European Economy.” The event featured discussions with decision-makers, policy experts, and industry representatives, as well as a presentation of the main findings from our new report, “Boosting electrification in Europe.”
Strategic Perspectives’ Executive Director, Linda Kalcher, opened the event, noting that the momentum for electrification is growing in Europe, in particular as the European Council calls for an “ambitious electrification”. She highlighted the potential of electrification to boost innovation and the leadership of European companies. Yasmine Arsalane, Deputy Head of Power at the International Energy Agency (IEA), followed with a keynote address, reiterating the message that globally, the age of electricity is here. Europe has a card to play with clean electrification.
Next, Strategic Perspectives’ Director Neil Makaroff and Industry Analyst Tristan Beucler presented the main findings of the report Boosting electrification in Europe, modelled in collaboration with Artelys. The research conducted for the report shows that accelerating electrification can:
- Make the EU more energy secure by reducing fossil fuel imports by two-thirds by 2040, saving an additional €43 billion per year in imports compared to a business-as-usual scenario.
- Strengthen the business case of electrotech manufacturing in Europe by deploying 150 million EVs on European roads, installing 84 million heat pumps in buildings and rolling out 1,896 GW of wind and solar and 134 GW of batteries.
- Modernise the economy by replacing outdated technologies based on the combustion of fossil fuels with highly pilotable and smart services that can reduce energy consumption by 12% by 2040.
The first debate focused on the technological competition in the electrified era. In a panel moderated by Kira Taylor, Bruno Tobback (MEP, S&D, Belgium) proposed electrification as a solution to Europe’s dependence on petrostates, noting it is up to European institutions to provide a clear, stable, and long-term strategy, along with a list of investment priorities. Klara Christensen (Director of Global Public Affairs, Danfoss) shared views from an industry perspective, noting that electrification is the only strategy that makes sense to strengthen competitiveness and improve affordability for households. Sophie Tricaud (Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Forsee Power) added that investing in electrification now is preparing the ground for future generations of technology, such as batteries. This policy can be an effective industrialisation tool if coupled with a Made-in-Europe criteria. Bart Aerts (Production Manager, Raffinerie Tirlemontoise) demonstrated how electrification brings direct economic benefits for traditional industries. A stable energy outlook is key for that. Adrian Hiel (Director, Electrification Alliance) concluded the panel, calling for an explicit 50% electrification target for 2040 and clear priorities in Europe.
The following debate, moderated by Linda Kalcher, discussed electrification as an energy security asset. Speaking about political action and support for electrification, Sigrid Friis (MEP, Renew, Denmark) also supported a binding electrification target in Europe to draw a robust plan with clear deadlines, sufficient investments and incentives. Marta Navarrete Moreno (Head of Policy and Regulation at Iberdrola) spoke about the need for a fiscal level playing field between electricity and fossil fuels, as gas is less taxed than electricity, which leads to subsidising imports and penalising EU-made energy. Julian Popov (former Environment Minister for Bulgaria and Strategic Perspectives’ Senior Fellow) added that the trends are clear, and gas, which was promoted as a transitional fuel, is constantly declining. Research and development, new technologies, and innovation are all key priorities to support long-term energy security and independence in Europe.
The concluding remarks were done by Tom Howes, adviser for Green Transition and Market Regulation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy. Mr Howes concluded the event by stating his strong support for closing the implementation gap of electrification regulation.
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