On 22 April 2026, the Commission presented a broad set of actions and measures to address rising energy costs and further reduce dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets, particularly in light of the escalating Middle East conflict.
The objective is to deliver energy security and clean, abundant, homegrown energy at affordable prices for EU consumers and businesses. We will step up our energy system, invest more in clean energy and phase out fossil fuels from electricity production.
AccelerateEU - 5 key areas of action
The Communication AccelerateEU – Energy Union (COM/2026/370) aims to provide immediate relief to consumers facing energy price spikes and accelerate the transition to clean, secure and affordable clean energy. It sets out 5 key areas of action, and the implemented measures are described under each pillar, in chronological order.
Closer EU-level coordination
Increased coordination between EU countries, both within the single market and with fossil fuel providers, will support actions such as filling gas storage facilities, exceptional releases of oil stocks, and the adoption of national measures. The strong commitment and intensified coordination needed is supported by the Energy Union Task Force, launched in 2025, as well as the Gas, Oil and Electricity Coordination Groups which met several times in 2026.
To support EU countries in protecting consumers and industry from price peaks, the suggested measures include, for example, timely and temporary measures such as targeted income support schemes, energy vouchers, and lowering excise duties on electricity for vulnerable households.
Deliverables on protecting consumers and businesses
20 May 2026: Digital repository of EU countries’ national emergency measures (updated 13 October 2026)
13 May 2026: AccelerateEU Catalogue (updated 18 June 2026)
8 May 2026: Guidance to support EU transport sector affected by the Middle East crisis
30 April 2026: Citizens Energy Package: helping households in the energy transition
Accelerating the shift to homegrown clean energy will reduce our imports of oil and gas. To encourage manufacturers to increase capacity and invest in more renewables and skills, measures include an electrification target, as well as the removal of barriers to electrification in the industrial, transport and building sectors.
Deliverables on homegrown clean energy
17 July 2026: Electrification Action Plan
17 July 2026: Legal proposal on future-proofing electricity bills in the Union (network charges)
Upgrading and transforming our energy system will ensure the full implementation of current rules, accelerate negotiations on the EU Grids Package and support the implementation of ‘Energy Highways’ projects.
Deliverables on stepping up our energy system
21 September 2026: Commission enhances energy efficiency and sustainability of data centres in the EU
15 September 2026: Commission launches Energy Regulation Academy to support public officials to implement EU energy measures
12 June 2026: Technical support instrument 2027 call – including grids and renewables
3 June 2026: Strategic roadmap for digitalisation and AI in energy
To scale up private capital for the clean energy transition, public funding needs to be mobilised at both EU and national level. The Commission will also encourage further investment through high-level events, such as the Clean Energy Investment Summit later in 2026.
Deliverables on boosting investment
6 October 2026: Energy Transition Investment Council - Call for applications
17 July 2026: Commission proposal to review the EU Emission Trading System (ETS)
26 June 2026: First tripartite agreement for energy storage
5 May 2026: Clean Energy Transition Investment Forum 2026
29 April 2026: Commission adopts temporary State aid framework to support sectors affected by Middle East crisis
Key facts on fossil fuel imports
EU’s clean energy transition
The clean energy transition is an economic, competitiveness and security imperative that will require strong commitment from all parties involved, close coordination and increased investment.
The need for transition is not new, but it must be significantly accelerated in view of the geopolitical realities of the conflict in the Middle East.
- the REPowerEU plan, followed by the 2025 roadmap and the REPower regulation aim to phase out all Russian energy imports to the EU and ensure the EU’s energy independence from Russia. It has been progressing since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and focuses on promoting energy conservation, encouraging clean energy production and diversifying our energy supplies. By the end of 2027 the EU will have accomplished the phase-out of all Russian gas imports, starting on 1 January 2027 with the phase-out of Russian LNG
- high energy prices hit the most vulnerable the hardest. The Citizens’ Energy Package, presented in March 2026, prioritises energy costs and consumers’ access to energy, with a strong focus on protecting vulnerable and energy-poor households
- the Commission is also working in and with specific sectors to help speed up the clean energy transition through local initiatives, for example supporting EU coal regions or islands, enhancing energy efficiency financing or combatting energy poverty
Press material
- 20 May 2026: Commission publishes overview of national emergency measures taken to protect consumers and industry - Energy
- 13 May 2026: Commission provides EU countries with practical examples to address energy crisis - European Commission
- 22 April 2026: Commission proposes actions to protect Europeans from the fossil energy crisis | Questions and answers | Fact sheet