The European Commission has launched a push to increase biofuel use across the European Union, highlighting renewable ethanol as a strategic resource to improve energy security and reduce reliance on fossil oil amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
In a March 31 letter to EU energy ministers, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned that Europe “must be ready for a potentially prolonged disruption of international energy trade.” The Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy added that “increasing the uptake of biofuels could help substitute for fossil petroleum products and alleviate pressure on the market.”
The recommendation comes as Europe reassesses its resilience following disruptions in global energy markets, including instability linked to conflict in the Middle East. Policymakers are increasingly focused on strengthening domestic energy sources, competitiveness, and supply independence.
ePURE said the Commission’s position underscores the strategic importance of renewable ethanol, describing European biorefineries as “domestic assets” capable of supporting climate goals, energy independence, food security, and agricultural resilience while strengthening farmers’ revenues.
“This is a first step in the right direction for the Commission and should be followed up with urgent additional actions to unleash the potential of the domestic renewable ethanol industry for replacing fossil fuel,” the association said, adding that expanded ethanol use could provide consumers with more affordable renewable energy while supporting EU agriculture and industry.
ePURE called on the EU to reopen the Fuel Quality Directive to allow E20 petrol blends, arguing that existing biorefineries are operating below capacity and could contribute more to energy sovereignty if regulatory barriers are removed. The group said the move is supported by several automakers.
The association also pointed to the upcoming review of the Renewable Energy Directive for the post-2030 period as an opportunity to revise crop-based fuel limits and strengthen domestic supply chains.
It added that the current geopolitical environment presents an opportunity for the EU to reinforce its food and energy sovereignty, particularly as European farmers face mounting economic pressures.
ePURE noted that other major economies, including the United States and Brazil, are actively supporting their domestic ethanol industries and urged the EU to adopt a comparable approach.
The Commission’s proposal reflects a broader shift toward diversifying energy sources as the bloc seeks to reduce exposure to volatile global markets while advancing its climate and industrial policy objectives.
Source: ePURE
