Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever has criticized the EU’s green energy initiative, claiming that “arbitrary” climate policies are increasing energy prices.
In a public debate on Thursday, de Wever contended that misguided energy strategies have rendered Europe poorer, weaker, and more reliant on other countries. As the head of the right-wing New Flemish Union, he stated that Europe’s shift toward green energy has not resulted in cheaper or more reliable electricity; instead, it has benefitted China and led to steep costs for European consumers.
“We have made our lives very difficult,” de Wever expressed, mentioning that the choice to move away from nuclear power has been a significant error.
Taking office in early 2025, de Wever argued that Europe is misunderstanding its energy strategy. A report indicated that current methods complicate efforts to meet energy needs and hinder the mining of rare minerals in Europe.
He acknowledged that the nation has a long way to go before fully utilizing nuclear power. He recalled discussions with Engie’s CEO at Davos, where he highlighted concerns about Europe becoming overly dependent on the United States.
Despite growing evidence of policy failures, de Wever pointed out that ideological biases still impact EU energy decisions, noting that “technological neutrality is still lacking” in policy-making.
While European leaders recently promoted ambitious offshore wind projects at the North Sea Summit, industry leaders privately admitted the high costs and unpredictability of such ventures. De Wever noted that their proposed reliance on surplus energy for green hydrogen production was promising yet expensive.
When senior government officials mentioned the need for a green hydrogen market, de Wever felt a sense of déjà vu, likening it to conditions reminiscent of the Soviet Union. He expressed concerns about the nature of creating markets through political intervention, suggesting it often leads to endless subsidies.
De Wever also criticized costly offshore construction plans, labeling them a “fantasy” that could lead to energy shortages, even though he is still bound to pursue approved plans.
His remarks come in the wake of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s admission that phasing out nuclear energy was a “serious strategic mistake.” Merz emphasized that sustaining energy production prices would necessitate ongoing federal subsidies, which, he warned, is not a viable long-term solution.
