Mild weather has saved Europe this winter. Here’s what we must do to avoid future energy crises

Mild winter weather in Europe may have given skiers a challenging time on the slopes, but the rest of the continent is breathing a sigh of relief. Except for

a cold snap in December, most of Europe has enjoyed unseasonably high temperatures during this winter. And with Spring now in sight, we may well avoid an energy crisis that could

have created severe disruptions for industries and millions of households across Europe. Over the last months, Europe has taken measures to modulate consumption, fill

gas storage facilities, and maximize coordination. However, a harsh winter would have posed a significant challenge for everyone. In recognizing that, we should be

making a concerted effort in the early months of 2023 to make sure energy security is not left to chance next winter and in years to come. It would be foolish to continue to rely

on the weather to bail out a European energy system overly dependent on foreign reserves of fossil fuels. Currently, close to 80% of the world’s energy needs are met by

fossil fuels. If ever there was a time to change course and radically reshape how we produce and consume energy, it is now. The ongoing tragedy of the invasion of

Ukraine is the latest in a series of wider crises that have oil and gas implications as a common factor. 2023 is the year to finally break the cycle, through sustained

investment and innovation in clean energy generation and electricity networks. That’s why at Iberdrola we’ve set out five clear areas for action this year–five

fundamentals for faster progress toward green energy security.