Beyond Natural Gas

#EUKICON26 || Day 2 || 10:45 AM

In this workshop, European experts shared key lessons learned, exchanged their strategies for phasing out gas, and discussed transferable best practices as well as the policy and technological frameworks enabling cross-sector solutions.

Summary

The workshop addressed Europe’s reliance on natural gas and its implications for energy security, affordability, industrial competitiveness and climate goals. Discussions highlighted that accelerating the transition away from gas is both technically feasible and economically beneficial. Participants examined REPowerEU measures, alternatives to new gas infrastructure and policy frameworks needed to avoid long-term carbon lock-in, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.

Several key solutions emerged throughout the workshop: technology-neutral capacity mechanisms allowing batteries, demand response and interconnectors to compete with gas plants; the gradual phase-out of gas boilers combined with solar energy, storage and affordable heat pump access for vulnerable households; and industrial decarbonisation through a combination of electrification and green hydrogen for high-temperature processes such as steel production. The workshop concluded that the tools to move beyond natural gas already exist — what is needed now is the political ambition to deploy them.

Facilitator

• Marius Köppen, Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD)