​​REPowerEU, the EU’s plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, diversify energy supplies at EU level and accelerate the green transition, may face significant practical challenges, the European Court of Auditors warns in an Opinion published today. In particular, the success of REPowerEU will depend on complementary actions at all levels, and on securing financing of around €200 billion.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Council decided that the EU should fully phase out its dependency on Russia gas, oil and coal imports as soon as possible. The European Commission consequently presented the REPowerEU plan, aimed at increasing the resilience of the EU’s energy system by reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and diversifying energy supplies at EU level. This objective will be implemented through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF): measures in support of the objective will be included in the REPowerEU chapters of the national recovery and resilience plans.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine turned the spotlight onto our dependence on gas, oil and coal imports, and the EU absolutely needed to act and respond swiftly to increased energy security concerns,” said Ivana Maletić, the ECA member responsible for the Opinion. “But our view is that REPowerEU, in its current shape, might fail to quickly identify and implement EU strategic projects with immediate and highest impact on the EU energy security and independence.”