Synergies and tensions between decarbonisation, security and strategic autonomy in EU energy policy

Increasing concerns over European security and competitiveness during the 2020s have changed the policy landscape in the EU. Pertaining to energy, this has meant that the decarbonisation objectives put in place by the EU Green Deal are contrasted with objectives for improved energy security and open strategic autonomy (OSA), with potentially hindering implications on the advancement of sustainability transitions. This article explores policy synergies and tensions between decarbonisation, security and strategic autonomy in EU-level energy policy. It analyses 20 in-depth expert interviews to uncover synergies and tensions on the levels of policy objectives, instruments, processes and outcomes – and the potential impact of these on sustainability transitions. A framework combining sustainability transitions’ policy intervention points with policy coherence and elements of OSA is applied to guide the analysis. We conclude that clear synergies exist at the policy objective and instrument levels between sustainability transition and OSA rationales. Yet our findings also highlight potential tensions in policy processes and outcomes which may mean reduced political attention on advancing the unfolding energy transition. Given the strong revival of energy industrial policy in the EU, it is imperative that the objectives of advancing sustainability transitions and security are integrated into and coordinated with it.