Tech leaders call for 25% of EU budget to secure Europe’s energy and digital future

As Europe braces for winter, the continent has already spent an estimated €50 billion on fuel due to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, despite failing to secure additional energy supplies. This highlights the country's vulnerability to geopolitical instability. At the DIGITALEUROPE Executive Board Strategy Days in Brussels, industry leaders urged for a coordinated European approach to affordable domestically-produced energy, digital grids, and significant investment in locally-made technologies.

DIGITALEUROPE, a technology trade association, represents over 56,000 European businesses and advocates for allocating 25% of the forthcoming EU budget to critical technologies. During the conference, executives presented their recommendations on electrification, grid digitalization, and investment to the European Commission's Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero, and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra.

DIGITALEUROPE is pushing for a binding 32% electrification target by 2030 and faster grid and digital infrastructure permits. The group's push stems from the increasing demand for electricity from AI and data centers, which are driving up energy costs. DIGITALEUROPE's President, Peter Weckesser, emphasized the urgency of electrification, stating that the country's energy bills serve as a warning sign.

He stated that Europe cannot power tomorrow's factories without electrification and with outdated grids. Digital and AI technologies can enable cleaner, reliable, and more affordable energy faster. DIGITALEUROPE is also advocating for larger budgets for critical and digital technologies within the €2 trillion EU spending plan for 2028-2034.

They urge policymakers to prioritize these sectors over others and streamline funding decisions to ensure Europe turns research into factories, jobs, and global companies.