Introductory Notes

Ideas for coffee-break conversations

Napkin Notes is a compilation of short notes and reflections on European and Energy matters, scribblings to help drive and enjoy warm conversations around a coffee table. 

People say writing helps you organize your ideas. As I begin writing these opening lines, I have no sense of structure, order, or logic of the endeavor I am about to start. I don't even have a clear idea of the message I'm trying to convey. I hope this changes as I embark on a journey without a destination, driven only by a selfish need to organize and structure my thoughts.

I know, though, why I started writing. Politicians are clowning around, technology geeks laughing, new pseudo-autocratic mega powers now becoming mainstream while screens and emojis drive people’s individuation, polarization, anger and antisocial behaviors. We hear (de-)moralizing speeches, questioning our deepest values and beliefs and playing with words that raise fear, anger and hatred. One simple, yet seemingly impossible solution is dialogue, the ability and willingness to listen and respectfully defend one’s position.

Napkin Notes is a compilation of notes on Europe and Energy, with the sole objective of promoting critical thinking and encouraging debate. I don't expect, nor do I aspire, it to be great literature, or less so a scientific document. Despite the work I put into each note, the information and opinions are based solely on my personal experience, knowledge, research, and understanding, as well as a few coffee-table conversations.

Napkin Notes is a compilation of notes on Europe and Energy, with the sole objective of promoting critical thinking and encouraging debate

The more I try to catch up on current matters, the more I fall behind and feel outdated. I'm glad this is happening, though; it means things are moving fast. I started scribbling down my first notes a few days before the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos. I had lots of ideas, opinions, and even, dare I say, criticisms and suggestions related to EU energy policy. Despite my 25 years' experience in energy, regulation is not my area of expertise, but I know about markets and projects, and these are undoubtedly the most accurate gauge to assess how well regulations are designed.

The EU was founded on the principle of energy and the ideal of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC/CECA). Much has been achieved since the signing of that first treaty in 1951, and I can only praise the efforts of the European institutions over the decades to create a strong union of nations working together and defending European values.

Despite considerable efforts to align the interests of the 27 member states, the past decade has been extremely challenging with regard to energy and industry, and many voices claim how dim the future looks for the European Union. The European Commission has issued many warnings to its Member States, insisting on the lack of progress towards its energy strategy priorities: security, affordability, and competitiveness. Yes, these were the priorities for decades... only later did de-carbonization make it a new (sole) priority.

How did we get here? First, the pace at which the UE adapts to the changing environment is slow, burdensome and not adapted to the 21^st century. National egocentricity -national over supranational interests- and the lack of authority and agility of European institutions have dragged key decisions. Our European governance framework is inefficient. Also, Europe has prioritized moral leadership over practical leadership, leading it to adopt obtuse and politically biased energy narratives which have left it ill-prepared to face current and future international threats. The EU’s energy vision shifted from security, affordability, competitiveness and, later, sustainability, to a “green narrative”, more limited in scope, with a marked technological bias, and a strong political and ideological slant. Climate action is certainly a priority, but it cannot come at the expense of European energy security, affordability and competitiveness. The EU forgot it played in a global playground and that economic, not moral, competition still is the guiding principle.

The EU forgot it played in a global playground and that economic, not moral, competition still is the guiding principle.

That said, the response to the Russian gas dependency crisis was exceptional, and the efforts deployed nowadays by the European institutions to accelerate a strategic integration of the EU on so many fronts (energy, defense, technology, industry, raw materials, financial markets…) is admirable. From an energy policy standpoint, the green narrative is stepping back to the same level as security and competitiveness, and the EU Member States and Institutions are working tirelessly to set the stage for a new “EU reloaded”.

We have a long way to go, but the tone and focus seem to be changing, even if those changes were forced upon us. Now the question is: How sustainable is this effort towards greater European integration and autonomy? Is it a reflection of a new modus operandum or will it decay as soon as the economic downturn steps in, Donald Trump steps out, or the European leaders digress in their vision for a common future?

Europe is once again in a critical crossroads where it needs to define what it wants: continue being a coalition of countries playing a net-zero game (I win, you lose... we all stay small) or build a unified block with solid common grounds (monetary, fiscal, energy, financial, technological, social...) able to have a say in the global arena. Napkin Notes is a compilation of short notes and scribblings on Europe and Energy to help drive and enjoy warm conversations around a coffee table. 

By Miguel Benavides de la Vega

The thoughts shared here are my personal views and do not reflect the views of my employers or partners