To address rising energy costs and further reduce dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets, particularly in light of the escalating Middle East conflict, the Commission presented a comprehensive set of actions and measures on 22 April 2026.
The objective is an energy union that delivers energy security and clean, abundant, homegrown energy that is affordable to EU consumers and businesses. We will step up our energy system, invest further in clean energy and phase out fossil fuels from electricity production.
5 pillars of AccelerateEU
The Communication AccelerateEU – Energy Union (COM/2026/370) will 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.
Closer EU 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 will be supported by the Energy Union Task Force, launched in 2025.
Measures suggested to support EU countries in protecting consumers and industry from price peaks include timely and temporary measures such as targeted income support schemes, energy vouchers, and lowering excise duties on electricity for vulnerable households.
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.
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.
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.
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 and roadmap aim to phase out all Russian energy imports 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
- 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
Documents
Related links
- News: Commission provides EU countries with practical examples to address energy crisis - European Commission
- AccelerateEU – Energy Union: Press release | Questions and answers | Fact sheet (22 April 2026)
- Communication: AccelerateEU – Energy Union - affordable and secure energy through accelerated action (EU/2026/370)
- REPowerEU – phase out of Russian energy imports
- Protecting and empowering energy consumers
- Clean energy transition initiatives
- EU action to address the energy crisis - European Commission