EU's Shift from Russian Energy to Chinese Batteries Raises Concerns

The European Union (EU) could become heavily dependent on China for lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells by 2030, similar to its previous reliance on Russia for energy before the conflict in Ukraine, according to a paper prepared for EU leaders. The EU's goal of achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 will require significant energy storage, leading to a surge in demand for batteries and fuel cells. While the EU has a strong position in the intermediate phases of making electrolysers, it heavily relies on China for crucial components like fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries. The paper warns that without strong measures, the EU's energy ecosystem could face a similar severity of dependency on China as it did on Russia. The EU leaders will discuss proposals to reduce this risk and diversify towards Africa and Latin America.