EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 22.4.2026

COM(2026) 370 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

AccelerateEU - Energy Union


























Affordable and Secure Energy through Accelerated Action

1Introduction

For the second time in less than five years, the dangers of Europe’s dependency on fossil fuel imports are becoming abundantly clear. Over half (57% 1 ) of the energy consumed in Europe is imported fossil fuels. This creates a vulnerability that comes at a price. In 2025, the EU imported around EUR 340 billion worth of fossil fuels 2 . Since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East in March 2026 and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have spent an additional EUR  24 billion on fossil fuels imports 3 . Moreover, the possible effects on GDP growth and inflation 4  are significant. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and it is unclear how long it will last, but one thing is certain: its impacts will continue being felt for at least several months and go well beyond the energy sector, with economic, employment and social impacts. 

Rising prices are the immediate consequence of the conflict. There is no immediate threat to the security of supply, although stocks of some fuels are tight. The EU is in the process of reducing the share of fossil fuels in electricity production, but gas and oil continue to dominate in heating, industry and transport and are a key input to industrial value chains (e.g. chemicals, plastics and fertilisers). This leaves European households and businesses, notably SMEs and energy-intensive industries, and their workers, exposed to global price spikes. The current situation calls for timely, targeted and temporary measures to protect the most vulnerable consumers, to accelerate our shift to the clean energy transition and electrification and to safeguard the competitiveness of European industry.

Over recent years, the EU has massively accelerated the energy transition towards an efficient, flexible and interconnected system that is based on homegrown, clean and abundant energy sources. Many Member States are already reaping the benefits of swift progress on the energy transition, showing that this goal is achievable and delivers clear benefits to people and businesses. For example, Member States that have a high share of clean energy (notably renewables and nuclear) in their electricity mix, together with a flexible electricity system that counts with sufficient grid capacity and storage, generally have electricity prices below the EU average and are currently less impacted by the ongoing energy crisis.

This is a strong reminder of the need to accelerate electrification, the roll out of additional domestic clean energy production and the energy transition. The choices we make today determine whether we face the next crisis from a position of vulnerability or strength. The transition to a clean, abundant, homegrown, secure, water-resilient and affordable energy system has never been solely a climate and environmental necessity – it is also a socio-economic, competitiveness and security imperative. These policy goals mutually reinforce and complement each other and can be achieved by making full use of all available clean technologies while ensuring technological neutrality. That is why short-term relief measures must not detract from – but on the contrary, double down on – the longer-term goals to increase domestic clean energy production, achieve a decarbonised and resilient EU energy system and strengthen European manufacturing capacity to avoid creating new strategic dependencies.

Reaching these goals will require strong commitment, intensified coordination and increased investment, but the benefits of accelerating the clean energy transition clearly outweigh its costs. Every delayed investment in the energy transition risks creating greater costs to society.

The current crisis has a very strong global dimension. To mitigate the impact of the tension on global markets, the EU can draw on its significant weight as a buyer and on the value of its single market, a source of strength and solidarity especially in times of crisis.

This plan is one part of the Commission's dynamic response, which will evolve as the situation develops. The Commission will keep these measures under close review and consider further measures if the situation deteriorates. It consists of five key areas of action that aim to support Member States in providing and channelling short-term relief to consumers, especially those most immediately affected. It also sets out ways to move faster down the path to achieve a more resilient energy system in the medium and long term:

-greater coordination between Member States and with international partners;

-supporting Member States to protect consumers, including industry, from price shocks, and simultaneously helping them in the energy transition;

-accelerating the shift to homegrown clean energy and electrification;

-stepping up our energy system; and

-boosting investment by mobilising both public and private funding for the energy transition.

2Immediate action to produce rapid benefits

2.1The benefits of greater EU coordination

Enhanced coordination at EU level has shown clear benefits. Joint actions under the REPowerEU Plan following the aggression in Ukraine played a central part in enabling the EU to reduce its gas demand by 18% (between August 2022 and March 2023) 5 , easing immediate pressures and supporting longer-term stability. The EU Energy Platform 6 helped aggregate 90 billion cubic metres of European gas demand. It connected EU industrial buyers with international suppliers – with 77 billion cubic metres matched.

The first areas for strengthened EU-level coordination include gas storage filling and the use of flexibilities in filling rules, oil stock releases, national emergency measures and ensuring the availability of jet fuel and diesel, including through the optimisation of oil refinery production capacities.

Jet fuel shortages may have a significant impact on air transport, such as flight cancellations, especially in view of the busy summer aviation season. Given that air transport operates across national borders, it requires European coordination to preserve the effective functioning of the single market and secure continued supply across the EU. Exploring alternative supplies and imported fuel types 7  should be considered.  

Increased diesel prices and bunker fuel costs are driving up freight rates and have put road transport operators, the short-sea and inland shipping sectors, as well as fishery and agriculture, under severe pressure.

The availability and operational capacity of Europe’s oil refining sector must be maximised to meet the current demand, especially for jet fuels, since approximately 40% of our jet fuel consumption is imported and about half of all imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz 8 . Refining capacities are geographically concentrated in some regions in the EU 9 and alternative supplies of refined oil products are limited, making coordinated monitoring and potential collective action necessary to maximise existing European refinery output, including through the coordinated and timely release of emergency stocks.

Coordinating actions is also key for strengthening military fuel infrastructure, in particular for importing, processing, storing and distributing jet fuel supplies.

Finally, the EU’s external action towards reducing fossil fuel dependency globally 10 can further contribute to reducing the EU’s vulnerability to energy price shocks, foster EU’s energy security, resilience and promote Europe’s clean tech competitiveness. Coordination and cooperation with Energy Community Contracting Parties in particular will support the resilience of our interconnected energy markets. 11

In view of their impact on the external relations of the EU, the actions proposed in this Communication will be carried out in cooperation with the European External Action Service, within the exercise of its functions.

2.2Protecting consumers and industry from price shocks

Households and industry are expecting measures from Member States and the EU that protect them from unexpectedly large price hikes. Household budgets are tightening as rising energy costs reduce people's disposable income. This is already visible today when people fuel their cars 13 . Moreover, since about two thirds of the natural gas consumed in the EU is used in buildings and industry, gas price spikes will also result in challenges for many consumers once these price increases are reflected in their energy bills and, eventually, other parts of the economy such as food prices. Currently, many households may still benefit from the conditions set in the gas and electricity contracts that they concluded before the start of the conflict in the Middle East. This might change when their individual supply contracts expire. All consumers in a vulnerable situation are particularly exposed to this risk.

With persisting and recurring pressure on fossil fuel imports and energy prices remaining volatile, immediate support is needed, but it must be targeted, timely and temporary, and tied to long-term solutions (see examples in Annex II). Such support should preserve incentives to reduce energy demand and be consistent with Member States’ commitments under the EU fiscal framework.

The EU's legislative framework and Commission policy initiatives, including the Citizens Energy Package 14 , already provide a range of measures available to Member States that they could consider, bringing immediate relief to consumers. For example, these include targeted income support schemes; energy vouchers such as for replacing gas boilers; social tariffs; reducing excise duties on electricity for vulnerable households and energy-intensive industries; VAT reductions for the installation of heat pumps, solar photovoltaic and related small-scale batteries; tax incentives supporting the shift to electric vehicles; incentivising and easing the participation of consumers in energy communities and energy self-production; and encouraging consumers to compare and switch their energy suppliers or contracts. In addition, to support vulnerable consumers, Member States may already introduce, under the existing EU legislative framework, temporary or full bans on disconnection from energy supply. Fighting energy and transport poverty is also a priority for the upcoming Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Targeted financial incentives such as targeted tax credits, accelerated depreciation 15  or social leasing schemes can also support investment and increase the rate of deployment of clean technologies while contributing to the scaling up of European manufacturing capacity. This includes sectors such as electric vehicles, residential or industrial heat pumps, solar panels or battery storage systems. 

Saving energy and replacing oil and gas consumption with homegrown clean energy have proven efficient in tackling high energy prices and reducing Europe’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. 16 In the short term, Member States can achieve significant benefits in multiple sectors by combining action on electrification, efficiency improvements and accelerated deployment of clean energy technologies, including for instance innovative sustainable bio-based solutions (see examples in Annex II). The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) has also been a key tool to achieve a higher degree of energy security and independence, as without the ETS Europe would now consume 100 bcm more gas, making us more vulnerable.

In households and buildings, supporting adaptations that deliver rapid impact, such as improving insulation, replacing windows or replacing inefficient appliances, can deliver immediate and long-lasting energy savings and cost relief. Replacing gas and oil boilers with heat pumps could halve final energy consumption in buildings and lower energy bills over time. 17  An annual increase of the rate of heat pump deployed from around 2.4 million units today to around 4 million units by 2030 would not only bring reliefs for consumers but would also support Member States in progressing to reduce the average primary energy use of the residential building stock by at least 16% by 2030 18 . The Commission encourages Member States to make use of the European Investment Bank’s ETS2 Frontloading Facility to accelerate the deployment of decarbonisation measures in the housing and mobility sectors, particularly benefiting low- and middle-income households and SMEs.

Since most oil consumption is in the transport sector, Member States’ actions should be coordinated and targeted towards maintaining freight flows and connectivity for passengers, while promoting the shift to e-mobility and other clean mobility solutions across all modes as a structural pathway to lower our dependence on oil in transport. These may include incentives for consumers to acquire electric vehicles (e.g. switching corporate fleets to clean transport solutions 19 , such as electric heavy-duty vehicles or electric passenger ferries), or the provision of onshore power supply at ports. For businesses – especially small, medium-sized and energy-intensive businesses – targeted support mechanisms may include financing schemes, vouchers or leasing models to stimulate investment in energy efficiency and clean technologies.

Member States can consider using their allocations from the Social Climate Fund to finance such measures for vulnerable groups, including in both the transport and buildings sectors.

For air and waterborne transport and fisheries, the initiated transition to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and sustainable maritime fuels (SMF) 20 should be accelerated, supported by the swift implementation of incentives for their production and use in the EU 21 . For other sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries and mobility logistics, increased access to sustainable biofuels for existing combustion engine vehicles can secure their uninterrupted contribution to the supply chain, notably for food.

3immediate action to produce lasting benefits

3.1Accelerating the shift to homegrown clean energy and electrification

By taking immediate action to generate strong results in the medium-term, Member States can replace significant volumes of oil and gas by accelerating the shift to clean, homegrown and abundant energy, including through electrification, deployment of solar thermal and geothermal energies as well as other renewable energy, nuclear, biomethane, sustainable biofuels and hydrogen.

For example, the capacity of renewable electricity deployed per year should increase to 100 GW/year 24 , including through new large-scale renewable energy projects and accelerated solar deployment 25 , which can deliver rapid results 26 . To deliver at pace, it is therefore critical to streamline national permitting regimes in line with the requirements set in EU legislation 27 . Beyond transposition efforts, frontloading implementation can deliver concrete results. By the end of 2026, the length of permitting procedures should decrease across Europe to maximum two years 28  and each Member State should unlock the potential of renewable acceleration areas by establishing at least one.

Another key lever is to maximise existing renewable energy assets. The rapid repowering and upgrade of wind farms including offshore wind farms, supported by dedicated streamlined permitting regimes for repowering, and the modernisation of other renewable plants such as hydropower plants, can quickly deliver much needed additional relief by increasing available generation capacity.

Nuclear energy is an important component of decarbonisation, industrial competitiveness, and security of supply strategies. Almost half of the Member States have nuclear energy in their national energy mix. The updated National Energy and Climate Plans 29 indicate that installed nuclear capacity is anticipated to increase. Nuclear power plants supply clean power, suitable for enhancing system integration and providing flexibility facilitating further roll-out of other clean technologies. These benefits accrue to the whole EU energy system. New small modular reactors 30 or avoiding the premature retirement 31 of existing nuclear capacity can help reducing the need for fossil fuel use, including in district heating and industrial processes. As assessed in the PINC Strategy, there is also unlocked potential regarding existing nuclear power plants. 32  

The current crisis is also a call for accelerating electrification 33 to end exposure to fossil fuel price shocks and import dependencies. In 2024, 71% of the EU’s electricity generation came from clean energy sources 34 , bringing cheap energy to the system. Nevertheless, electricity represents less than a quarter of the final energy consumption 35 . To ensure energy affordability and industrial competitiveness by bringing the benefits of clean energy and renewables to consumers and improve system efficiency, more energy demand (transport, buildings, industry, etc.) needs to switch from fossil fuels to electricity.    

Figure 1. Correlation between clean energy mixes and electricity affordability (wholesale 2025 – left; industrial retail S1 2025 – right) [Source: DG ENER]

Electrification shall also boost domestic EU manufacturing of clean technologies, e.g. residential and industrial heat pumps. Industry estimates indicate that more than two thirds of the heat pumps installed in Europe are produced in Europe. 36 With clarity on potential demand, manufacturers will have a greater incentive to ramp up capacity in the EU and invest in skills development.

Doubling the installed commercial and residential heat pump capacity would reduce the fossil fuel consumption by 200 TWh. 37  In addition, district heating and cooling systems are efficient drivers for accelerating the electrification. They have the potential to provide the demand-side flexibility increasingly needed in the electricity system, through large heat pumps, electric boilers and thermal storage and facilitate waste heat recovery. An ambitious heat network expansion can deliver significant natural gas savings 38 .

Another area essential to increase the electrification of the economy is transport. Beyond incentives to promote the growth of sales of electric vehicles, sufficient recharging infrastructure is essential for their uptake. While recharging infrastructure for cars and vans has grown significantly faster over the last five years than the electric car fleet, the recharging infrastructure for trucks is lacking. 39  

Increasing the share of solar thermal energy not only in buildings but also in district heating and cooling systems, through the repowering of existing solar thermal installations and by starting new projects, including for thermal storage, could produce significant energy savings. This is particularly relevant for industry, especially in the food and beverage sector, the chemicals sector (especially for process heat requirements up to around 400 °C) and agriculture, such as for greenhouses.

Geothermal energy can also replace natural gas in district heating and cooling networks and, in some cases, contribute to electricity generation 40 . It is therefore important to support the swift deployment of new geothermal projects and explore the potential to repower existing installations. Industrial heat pumps can deliver process heat typically up to around 200 °C or upgrade low-temperature heat, enabling increased waste heat recovery in industry and district heating and cooling systems. 

Biogas and biomethane can also play a more strategic role in replacing imported fossil fuels, particularly in sectors where electrification is more difficult. Biomethane production in existing plants could be increased by about 10% to 30%. On-farm and cooperative biomethane projects can reduce fossil fuel dependency while providing additional income for farmers and creating local value, particularly in rural areas, by converting waste, residues and manure into energy and fertilisers. Finally, circular solutions for biogas, biomethane and recycled nutrients can strengthen resilience, help competitiveness and reduce exposure to global price shocks.

Lastly, since the ramp up of hydrogen remains slow, the EU should support the acceleration of the industry’s switch to decarbonised fuels, while ensuring a level playing field for all electricity users and minimising the cost of electricity.

3.2Stepping up our energy system

As this crisis shows, upgrading and fundamentally transforming our energy system is no longer a matter of ambition, but an absolute necessity for resilience. To fully reap the benefits, it is indispensable for Member States to swiftly and completely implement the EU energy acquis and for co-legislators to accelerate negotiations on the EU grids package. This will bring forward the delivery of projects, including projects of common interest (PCIs) and projects of mutual interest (PMIs), while defining a flexible approach to domestic congestion income arising from internal bidding zones that takes into account national circumstances. Grids are needed to let power flow at the lowest price from where it is produced to where it is consumed. Stepping up the deployment of cross-border electricity infrastructure is necessary to achieve the EU’s indicative target of at least 15% electricity interconnection by 2030, thereby ensuring a genuine Energy Union.

The Energy Highways initiative targets eight priority corridors, addressing the most urgent energy infrastructure needs that require further swift support and commitment, so that bottlenecks that hinder progress can be addressed. These need to be fast-tracked. Where need arises, additional Energy Highways may be considered in the future. Action to make more efficient and flexible use of grids, including through digitalisation and to improve grid productivity will also bring costs down significantly and help double down on the process to electrify multiple sectors, including heating and cooling.

Interconnectivity, smart grids, access to grids and grid productivity are also prerequisites for many service providers, alongside smart meters, which help consumers lower their energy bills or react to price signals by adjusting demand. The widespread deployment of smart meters is essential to unlock demand response at scale and enable consumers to participate in flexibility markets, reducing peak demand and price volatility. This is supported by assets such as batteries, electric vehicles and heat pumps, as well as by processes such as management systems and vehicle-to-grid solutions and AI-driven automation. To increase system flexibility and help lowering regional and domestic energy prices, each Member State should deploy smart meters to cover at least 50% of their final consumers by 2031. This goes hand in hand with price structures that encourage the use of flexibility services and storage to better integrate and benefit from clean energy.

To build a resilient energy system fed by clean homegrown energy sources, the availability of electricity and thermal storage capacities as well as flexibility, including batteries and pumped hydro, are key. The EU currently has a storage capacity of 55 GW and needs to expand this capacity significantly to reach 200 GW by 2030, with batteries playing an important role in such growth. To this end, political support for such projects already in the planning phase is essential.

3.3Boosting investment

The EU’s response to the current energy crisis relies on boosting investment. We must mobilise public funds –at EU and national levels– to catalyse and scale up private investment. Anticipating and accelerating investment in the energy transition and in circular solutions today will break the cycle of fossil fuel dependency once and for all.

Significant resources are being deployed at EU level for the energy transition, including during the final stretch of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (EUR 219 billion). Recovery and Resilience Plans already include numerous reforms and investments that are helping Member States upgrade their energy systems. These are to be completed by 31 August 2026 in line with the deadlines set in its legal architecture 43 . The CEF Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility has, since 2021, committed over EUR 2 billion for projects deploying relevant charging and refueling infrastructure for alternative fuels for all transport modes. CEF-Energy will support cross-border energy infrastructure projects and cross-border renewable energy projects with 5.84 billion between 2021 – 2027.

Cohesion policy also provides significant support for the energy transition. The recent mid-term review of the Cohesion Policy Funds has reallocated around EUR 1.2 billion to energy priorities, which can now contribute to responding to the current crisis.

Consistent EU support to research and innovation in clean energy technologies has mobilised both public and private funding for the transition, including in scaling up innovative technologies, thereby producing solutions that are now tested, reliable and already deployed on the market. For those in the process of reaching scale, continued coordinated action and support at EU and Member State level is needed to avoid fragmentation of public funding and accelerate deployment.

However, public money alone cannot cover the significant investment needs (estimated at EUR 660 billion a year until 2030) for the energy transition. To mobilise private investment 44  - including by institutional investors such as insurance companies and pension funds who manage over EUR 12 trillion in the EU, with potential to channel further investments for critical energy transition projects – the Commission adopted a Clean Energy Investment Strategy in March 2026.

The State aid framework will also enable Member States to support strategic investments in energy infrastructure and clean technologies while preserving a level playing field within the internal market. 45  

(1)

  Eurostat , 2024.

(2)

  Eurostat .

(3)

First 52 days. Comparison against before the start of the Middle East crisis assuming that the EU still imports the same volumes. Before the crisis, the EU would have paid roughly EUR 51 bn over the same time frame rather than EUR 75 bn. Commission calculation based on data from Bloomberg, Kpler, LSEG / Refinitiv.

(4)

Energy is a primary driver of volatility in headline inflation, acting through both direct impacts (fuel, electricity) and indirect effects (production and transportation costs).

(5)

  Eurostat , compared to pre-crisis levels.

(6)

Via the AggregateEU mechanism established between 2023-2025.

(7)

Such as Jet A.

(8)

Commission calculation based on data from Kpler and Eurostat.

(9)

Four main regional hubs: North-West Europe, Nordics-Baltics, Mediterranean and Central and Eastern Europe.

(10)

Including, e.g. through the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy, the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy and Clean Tech initiative.

(11)

The Energy Community may also take part in the Oil Coordination Group and Gas Coordination Group meetings through its Secretariat and, where relevant subject to the specific discussion points, via the Energy Community Contracting Parties. The EU Energy and Raw Materials Platform remains open to companies from the Energy Community Contracting Parties.

(12)

  https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-security/eu-energy-and-raw-materials-platform_en .

(13)

 On average, Europeans currently pay about EUR 1.8-2.2 per litre for petrol and EUR 2.0-2.4 for diesel, as opposed to an average of EUR 1.5-1.6 per litre for petrol in 2025 and EUR 1.6-1.8 per litre for diesel in 2025, source: The European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin .

(14)

  Citizens Energy Package  (COM/2026/115).

(15)

In line with the Council conclusions of 10 October 2025 on tax incentives to support clean technologies and industry.

(16)

Latest available data show that EU-funded energy efficiency investments are already strengthening the Union’s energy resilience. By the end of 2023, annual energy savings achieved through EU funds amounted to 81.9 TWh; source COM(2026) 118 final , page 17. See also ODYSEE project for further information.

(17)

Commission calculations.

(18)

 Compared to 2020. Energy Performance of Buildings Directive  (EU) 2024/1275 (‘EPBD’)

(19)

 Commission Proposal for a Regulation on clean corporate vehicles (COM(2025) 994 final)

(20)

  ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime regulations.

(21)

  Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP)

(22)

Complementing other incentive models such as grants, guarantees, loans or energy-as-a-service models, that are more frequently used for technologies such as small-scale batteries and heat pumps.

(23)

Commission implementing decision establishing the situation in the Middle East as of 28 February 2026 as the occurrence of an exceptional event causing a significant disruption of markets

(24)

 In accordance with the Clean Industrial Deal (COM(2025) 85 final). This renewable capacity deployment rate refers to direct current capacity, equivalent to around 85 GW in alternating current capacity used in standard statistical reporting practice.

(25)

Solar generation is one of the most affordable electricity generation sources and has very large deployment potential, such as in , residential buildings including in balconies, roads and large-scale commercial,

(26)

Since 2021, the EU has installed around 260 GW of renewable capacity (204 GW solar PV and 57 GW wind energy ), leading to savings of gas for generation equivalent to approximately 15 bcm in 2025 (or about 5% of the EU annual imports).

(27)

All Member States should have already transposed and implemented all permitting requirements for renewables and related infrastructure under EU energy legislation, and particularly the Renewable Energy Directive (including Renewable Energy Acceleration Areas, overriding public interest in favour of renewable projects, and shorter permitting deadlines for the repowering of existing ones). Member States are at the time of publication of this Communication still in the process of adopting and notifying national transposition measures to the Commission.

(28)

In accordance with the Renewable Energy Directive, including shorter deadlines for renewable acceleration areas, while lead-times for very complex projects such as some offshore projects may be longer.

(29)

  EU-wide assessment of the final updated national energy and climate plans , COM(2025) 274 final.

(30)

 Commission Communication on a Strategy for the development and deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Europe, COM/2026/117 final.

(31)

Commission Communication on Nuclear Illustrative Programme presented under Article 40 of the Euratom Treaty – Final (after the opinion of the EESC), COM/2026/120 final.

(32)

According to national plans, if Member States extended the lifetimes of existing reactors to 70 or even 80 years, and all new build projects got delivered on time, the installed capacity could reach to 144 GWe in 2050.

(33)

Electrification rate of 23.4% in 2024. The Clean Industrial Deal and the Affordable Energy Action Plan introduced a key performance indicator on the share of electricity in final energy consumption, setting 32% by 2030 as reference.

(34)

  https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/interactive-publications/energy-2026 .

(35)

Eurostat

(36)

 European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), Heat pumps made in Europe . 

(37)

This saving would amount to approximately 8% of the current energy consumption for space heating in buildings.

(38)

 Mathiesen et al. (2023), Heat matters: The missing link in REPowerEU

(39)

In addition, depot conversion for full zero-emission bus fleets and truck fleets remains a considerable investment challenge for many cities and operators.

(40)

 Ember estimates that next-generation geothermal technologies could deliver up to 301 TWh annually in the EU, equivalent to around 42% of current coal and gas generation.  Geothermal energy in Europe , February 2026, Ember

(41)

Including heavy-duty vehicles.

(42)

  Roadmap towards ending Russian energy imports , COM(2025) 440 final

(43)

As an instrument designed to tackle the adverse consequences of the COVID-19 crisis in the Union, supported by extraordinary and temporary additional means, the RRF was created with very strict time limits that cannot be derogated from, as they are set in the EURI Regulation, the RRF Regulation and the Own Resources Decision.

(44)

Banks and insurance firms are incentivised to scale up their investments under the legislative programme frameworks, which make it easier to invest in equity in areas that are key to Europe’s long‑term competitiveness and economic security, including the energy sector.

(45)

18 decisions were adopted under CISAF supporting clean tech and budget by 14 April 2026, approving 19 State aid measures for a total budget of EUR 32.76 bn. Of those, 4 measures totalling a budget of EUR 20.22 bn were approved under section 4.1 on renewable energy. One measure (budget of EUR 608.5 million) was approved under section 5 on industrial decarbonisation. Finally, 14 measures were approved under section 6.1 on manufacturing capacity in clean technologies (budget of around EUR 11.93 bn). In addition, in the same period, the Commission approved 7 aid measures for industrial decarbonisation under the Climate, Environmental Protection and Energy State aid guidelines (CEEAG) for a total budget of EUR 6.8 billion.

(46)

Support for industrial investments can be designed in accordance with Section 4.5 of the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF), but only if 100% of ETS revenues is used for investments in decarbonisation, as required by Article 10(3) of Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 22.4.2026

COM(2026) 370 final

ANNEX

to the

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

AccelerateEU - Energy Union





Affordable and Secure Energy through Accelerated Action

ANNEX I

Examples of good national practices adopted

Boosting the uptake of clean technologies

Large-scale subsidies for heat pumps, geothermal and solar energy, combined with a EUR 500 million ‘Heat Fund’ for industry to convert from fossil fuels to biomass, wind and solar. Encourage the uptake of heat pumps in new buildings by 2027. Roll out social leasing schemes for electric vehicles.

Reduce VAT to 6% for heat pumps, solar PV and solar boilers.

Providing vulnerable households with up to 100% subsidy to replace fossil boilers.

Obligation for companies to implement all energy efficiency measures that have a payback period of less than five years. Subsidy scheme for zero-emission commercial vehicles for companies.

Lower electricity prices for heat pumps in exchange for system flexibility.

Organising and participating in double-sided auctions for eSAF production under the eSAF Early Movers Coalition

Tax or other financial incentives for corporate e-vehicle fleets

Building-sector measures

Provide up to 50% subsidies and zero-interest loans (up to EUR 50,000) for building renovations, including insulation.

Integrated plan combining behavioural measures, quick-payback investments and long-term renovation, targeting 20% energy savings over two years.

Awareness raising campaign to reduce heating temperatures by 1 °C and increase cooling temperatures by 1 °C in public buildings.

Energy-saving ordinances targeting the public sector, businesses and households with rules on heating, lighting and energy use, to reduce gas consumption by approximately 20 TWh per year.

Incentives for public transport and modal shift

A national single transport pass, covering unlimited travel on all state-operated interregional buses, and selected services. Demand responsive transport services in rural areas.

Freeze rail ticket prices through public compensation.

Nationwide campaign promoting energy savings, including transport-related behavioural changes. Cargo bike funding programme. A single flat-rate monthly subscription valid on all local and regional public transport.

Flat rate subsidised annual pass encouraging daily use of urban public transport

Investments into cycling infrastructure and sharing schemes targeting regions with higher levels of transport poverty

National carpooling plan

Tax benefits for acquisition/ownership of zero-emissions vehicles applicable to company cars, including reductions or exemptions from benefit-in-kind tax

Purchase incentives for battery electric vehicles and support for the installation of charging points at residential buildings or business premises

Cross-cutting measures

Develop digital tools to promote flexible electricity consumption and demand shifting.

Nationwide behavioural campaign ‘Down a degree to ensure energy for all households’, leading to 86% of citizens adopting energy-saving measures.

ANNEX II

Types of measures to provide immediate relief

What can Member States do to produce an immediate impact?	How/which tools to use?
Households and buildings
1.Protect vulnerable households	·Issue targeted energy vouchers for vulnerable households. ·Consider if necessary targeted temporary regulated prices for vulnerable and energy-poor households (social tariffs). ·Introduce full or partial targeted reductions of excise duties on electricity for energy-poor and vulnerable households.
2.Efficient use of heating and air conditioning	·Adjust default settings on condensing boilers and centralised air conditioning systems in public buildings to increase efficiency and reduce energy use for heating, cooling and water heating. ·Require occupants of commercial buildings to adjust the default settings on condensing boilers and centralised air conditioning systems to increase efficiency. ·Encourage occupants of private residential buildings to keep condensing boiler temperatures below 50 degrees.
3.Support fast roll-out of clean and energy efficient technologies at home, including energy efficiency and water heating	·Introduce targeted fiscal incentives and/or financial support, including social leasing for vulnerable households, to rapidly roll out easy-to-install clean and efficient technologies, such as plug-in batteries, PV panels, heat pumps and high-performance windows. ·Use vitality social tariffs and bonus grants to quickly replace fossil fuel-based boilers. ·Remove legal barriers for the safe deployment of ‘behind the metre’ plug-in technologies to mitigate system costs and encourage interoperability and flexibility. ·Introduce fiscal incentives and/or subsidies for consumers to replace gas-based, old or inefficient cooking appliances with electric appliances.
4.Prevent energy disconnections	·Put in place a temporary ban on energy disconnections. ·Support the financial stability of suppliers through sound supplier risk management and effective supplier-of-last-resort schemes. ·Ensure that energy suppliers provide customers with ‘best tariff’ advice based on usage and provide ‘early warnings’ when consumption spikes or when risks of non-payment arise.
5.Enable switching and demand flexibility	·Ensure consumers can easily switch to cheaper contracts and can access neutral and transparent price comparison tools to choose the best tariffs and contracts. ·Remove barriers for companies that reward customers for shifting their electricity usage from peak times to when it is cheaper.
6.Promote self-consumption and energy communities	·Implement the Commission Recommendations on self-consumption and energy communities at national level. ·Support and further enable self-consumption and energy communities by issuing fiscal incentives and/or subsidies, including by making use of EU guarantees and funds to support energy communities.
7.Awareness raising	·Provide free-of-charge advice and energy performance certificates together with recommendations on energy-saving measures. ·Support information campaigns to encourage the public and SMEs to save energy.
Industry, businesses and SMEs
8.Innovative financing practices and ESCOs	·Support the development and fast roll-out of innovative financing schemes and financial products that support the rapid uptake of renewable energy, storage, energy efficiency measures and Energy Service Company (ESCO) businesses.
9.Energy audits and reducing heat loss	·Incentivise energy audits and take up of the most impactful and cost-effective recommendations to tackle heat loss from high-temperature processes. ·Encourage companies to implement the measures identified by the energy audits with a certain payback period (e.g. three years). ·Provide spot checks and maintenance of thermal heating systems to reduce waste.
10.Replace inefficient electric motors and promote switch to on-site renewables	·Introduce targeted fiscal incentives and/or subsidies to accelerate the replacement of inefficient electric motor systems in industry. ·Introduce fiscal incentives and/or subsidies to accelerate the replacement of fossil fuel-based systems with more cost-effective renewables-based systems.
11.Farmers	·Continuous support for biogas and biomethane production. ·Encouraging clean and efficient energy installations at farm level. ·Facilitating the use of recycled nutrients.
Transport
12.Promote public transport and rail	·Reduce the price of public transport and/or make it free for certain categories of people (e.g. most vulnerable). ·Promote the use of rail for business travel and for freight.
13.Promote alternatives to car transport in urban and peri-urban areas	·Introduce public support for bike sharing and other micro-mobility solutions and introduce incentives (e.g. subsidies or fiscal) for the purchase of bicycles. ·Further develop cycling and walking infrastructure and facilitate bikes on public transport. ·Incentivise last-mile delivery by cargo bike or smaller delivery e-vehicles.
14.Promote car-sharing	·Create dedicated traffic lanes and dedicated parking spots for higher occupancy vehicles.
15.Support the uptake of electric and more efficient cars, vans, trucks and buses	·Introduce, continue or extend public support for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles, including in corporate fleets. ·Exempt zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles from tolls in line with the Eurovignette Directive. ·Accelerate the roll-out of publicly accessible charging infrastructure in particular for recharging infrastructure dedicated to heavy-duty vehicles. ·Support the installation of private charging infrastructure by providing targeted fiscal incentives or subsidies. ·Ensure heavy duty vehicle grid connection needs are clearly and timely expressed by the mobility sector, avoiding speculative need projections, to electricity distribution system operators and public authorities, and these are integrated in the respective planning exercises and network development planning to ensure anticipatory grid investments and faster grid connections. Ensure transparency on grid hosting capacity and anticipatory grid planning at DSO level with regards to expected investment needs to electrify the transport sector and accelerate permitting regimes for the respective grid and charging infrastructure projects. ·Increase the uptake of electric vehicles in public transport.
16.Promote more efficient driving practices and operation of freight vehicles and goods deliveries	·Promote behavioural changes, raise awareness and offer training courses on eco-driving. ·Facilitate the use of fuel indexation clauses in road transport contracts. ·Ensure optimised loading of heavy-duty vehicles through better planning and data sharing. ·Optimise multi-modal delivery solutions, including through last-mile zero-emission solutions and pick-up stations. ·Accelerating roll-out of intelligent transport system services.
Natural gas
17.Optimise existing power plants to ensure sufficient generation capacity, reducing demand for gas for gas-fired power plants	·Optimise the availability of nuclear and hydro power plants, including when possible and advisable delaying maintenances and setting back-up plans in the event of extended dry spells. ·Avoid premature retirement of generation assets, such as existing nuclear facilities that can continue to deliver reliable, low-cost and low-emission electricity.
Cross-cutting energy system
18.Provide price relief and support in line with the long-term goal to transition to clean energy	·Design system-friendly network tariffs to lower system costs and tap the full potential of renewable sources. ·Introduce progressive retail prices and ensure that intervention in retail price settings foster savings and the switch from gas to electricity, and reward demand-response flexibility. ·Remove preferential treatment for fossil fuels. ·Introduce, where relevant, national price support measures for vulnerable households and businesses that are targeted, time-limited and do not increase demand. ·Targeted information campaigns for households and small businesses, for example to encourage consumers to reduce heating and boiler temperatures, avoid peak-hour energy use, turn off lights, close doors, heat fewer rooms, block draughts and reduce energy use in shops.