The EU has warned member countries against the early closure of nuclear power plants as it unveiled measures aimed at alleviating the impact of an energy crisis caused by the conflict in Iran and reducing the economic bloc’s long-term fossil fuel dependency.

The European Commission said in a communication titled ‘Affordable and secure energy through accelerated action’ that the consequences of war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz was once again showing the bloc’s dependency on imported fossil fuels.

According to the EU, 57% of Europe’s energy came from fossil fuels and it imported €340bn ($399bn) in these fuels in 2025.

The commission said it would help states with temporary relief measures to alleviate the worst effects of a spike in fuel costs, but that it was “a strong reminder of the need to accelerate electrification, the roll out of additional domestic clean energy production and the energy transition”.