European technology leaders are calling for 25% of the European Union’s next long-term budget to be directed toward critical and digital technologies, arguing that energy security, computing capacity and Europe’s ability to scale its own technology companies are increasingly part of the same competitiveness problem.
At DigitalEurope’s Executive Board Strategy Days in Brussels, industry executives presented proposals covering electrification, grid digitalization and investment to Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth.
DigitalEurope said Europe has already paid an estimated €50 billion extra for fuel since the Strait of Hormuz crisis began without obtaining an additional barrel, illustrating the continent’s exposure to geopolitical volatility.
Digital infrastructure moves into the energy debate
The proposal is not simply a call for greater technology spending.
DigitalEurope argues that digital systems are already essential to allowing electricity grids to handle more renewable power without breaking down and wants digital technology treated as part of core grid investment rather than an add-on.
The association is calling for a binding 32% electrification target by 2030 and wants permits for grid and digital infrastructure issued within 12 months.
Tech.eu noted that the push comes as AI and data-centre demand makes energy availability increasingly important to where technology companies operate. European industrial electricity prices are currently roughly twice U.S. levels and about 50% higher than China’s.
An earlier coalition led by Norrsken has separately argued that Europe could make electricity 50% of final energy consumption by 2040, while as much as 90% of the European economy could already be electrified using existing technologies.
Tech leaders want a bigger share of the next EU budget
The European Commission has proposed an EU budget of almost €2 trillion for 2028–2034. DigitalEurope wants 25% of that budget dedicated to critical and digital technologies.
It is also urging policymakers to protect the proposed €450 billion European Competitiveness Fund and its €51.5 billion Digital Leadership window.
Peter Weckesser, president of DigitalEurope and EVP and Chief Digital Officer at Schneider Electric, said Europe cannot power future factories “with yesterday’s grid,” arguing that digital technologies and AI can help deliver cleaner and more reliable energy.
DigitalEurope Director General Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl said Europe needs to move beyond distributing small amounts across too many priorities and instead focus funding on technologies capable of supporting future competitiveness.
Faster funding could matter as much as more funding
The group is also targeting how quickly European technology reaches the market.
DigitalEurope wants EU funding decisions made within 90 days, a clearer route from Horizon Europe research to commercial deployment, larger growth rounds and greater use of public procurement as a first customer.
Tech.eu noted that the association represents 134 corporate members and 45 national trade associations covering more than 56,000 businesses.
For European founders and infrastructure companies, the proposal highlights a broader shift: energy policy is becoming technology policy. AI systems, data centres, industrial software and digital grids ultimately depend on electricity that is affordable, reliable and available at scale.
Europe’s next technology competition may therefore be decided not only by who builds the best software, but by whether the continent can finance—and power—the infrastructure needed to scale it.
