Electrification for energy sovereignty

Heating and cooling traditionally relied on fossil fuels, much of which was imported.

However, heat pumps use electricity and recovered heat, meaning they run on homegrown energy. This shields Europe from volatile fuel markets and unreliable supply.

Meeting the EU’s target to increase heat pump sales to 4 million per year by 2030 would ease consumers’ bills and cut residential energy use by at least 16%, according to the European Commission.

EHPA currently chairs the Electrification Alliance, a coalition of ten European associations working to accelerate Europe’s clean energy transition through electrification.

 

Scaling up electrification reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthens Europe’s security, competitiveness and resilience.

What should EU policymakers do?

1
Recognise heat pumps as a strategic energy security technology across buildings, industry and district heating
2
Prioritise heat pump deployment in energy security and resilience strategies
3
Ensure EU funding and policy frameworks support rapid electrification of heating and cooling as a core pillar of Europe’s security

Discover our latest numbers, analysis and market report:

Policy news

Italy's €9.3 billion for the green transition

Italy has submitted its draft Social Climate Plan, with measures set to run from 2026 to 2032. The €9.3 billio...

10 Aug 2026
Why heat pump sales are growing again

After two years of declining sales, Europe’s heat pump market is back on the rise. In 2025, around 2.9 m...

06 Aug 2026
Cooling matters: the other side of heat pumps

Cooling is essential to protect people’s health. Heat pumps can both heat and cool. They can also recover and ...

31 Jul 2026

Publications, position papers
and joint statements:

Cooling matters: the other side of heat pumps

Cooling is essential to protect people’s health. Heat pumps can both heat and cool. They can also recover and ...

31 Jul 2026
Heat pumps replace Middle East gas imports twice over

Europe’s heat pumps provide as much heat as the liquefied natural gas carried by over 200 tankers*, new analys...

22 Jun 2026
Manifesto: how to speed up heat pump rollout

In a world of geopolitical turmoil, fossil energy prices are spiking more than ever. Heat pumps replace fossil...

22 May 2026

EU Projects

EHPA’s policy work on energy sovereignty is also supported by our EU-funded projects.

Questions? Get in touch.

Policy
Saverio Papa
Saverio Papa
Head of Energy Policy
Communications
Photo: Tim Buelens
Daniela Floris
Communications Officer

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