Enviro News Asia, New York – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed that the global energy transition has now entered a new, more ambitious, and inclusive phase. Europe currently generates 50 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources.
Von der Leyen delivered this statement at the Global Renewables Summit in New York on Monday (September 22, 2025), during her opening speech in a session themed “The Abundance of Renewable Energy.” The event gathered heads of state, ministers, energy executives, and international philanthropic leaders.
She revealed that in 2024, nearly EUR 2 trillion had been invested worldwide in clean energy. “For every one euro spent on fossil fuels, more than two euros were allocated to renewables. Today, 90 percent of new renewable energy projects generate electricity cheaper than fossil fuels, and solar power is 41 percent less expensive than the cheapest fossil alternative,” she said.
However, she stressed that momentum alone is not enough. “We must act decisively, together—governments, industry, and partners across continents. Clean energy is not only about climate change, but also about security and prosperity,” von der Leyen emphasized.
She highlighted Europe’s experience following the war in Ukraine. Before the conflict, 45 percent of Europe’s gas supply and 50 percent of its oil and coal came from Russia. The resulting energy crisis, however, spurred Europe to accelerate diversification and invest heavily in renewable energy. “Today, nearly half of Europe’s electricity comes from renewables. Solar and wind are the fastest-growing sources,” she explained.
Through the Clean Industrial Deal, the European Union has mobilized more than EUR 100 billion to help industries innovate and adapt. Renewable energy investment even grew by 63 percent in just the past year. Von der Leyen stressed that strengthening the power grid is now a priority to ensure the benefits of clean energy reach all regions.
She also underlined the importance of cross-continental partnerships. One example is the ELMED interconnector linking Italy and Tunisia, which will become the first direct current power link between Europe and Africa. In North Africa, “Green Corridor” projects are creating opportunities for clean industry and hydrogen.
Through the Global Gateway initiative, the EU is committed to mobilizing EUR 300 billion by 2027 to support the global energy transition. In the Caribbean, hydrogen technology is being used to stabilize renewable energy supply. Meanwhile, in Kenya, the EU has invested EUR 3.4 billion in climate and nature projects to achieve the target of 100 percent clean electricity by 2030. (*)
