The AccelerateEU initiative comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have once again exposed Europe’s vulnerability to imported fossil fuels. Since March 2026, the European Union (EU) has spent an additional €24bn on energy imports without receiving any extra supply, reports the EC.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the plan as both an immediate response to crisis conditions and a longer-term roadmap to resilience. She emphasised that accelerating the transition to clean energy is essential not only for climate goals but also for economic stability and security.

Fossil fuels still account for 57% of the EU’s energy consumption, with imports reaching €340bn in 2025, according to the EC. AccelerateEU seeks to address this dependency through a combination of short-term relief measures and systemic reforms, structured around multiple pillars.

The first focuses on strengthening coordination among member states. The EC will enhance oversight of gas storage refilling, oil stock releases and refinery capacity, supported by regular coordination meetings. The aim is to ensure consistent action across the bloc and avoid fragmented national responses during supply disruptions. To improve transparency and preparedness, a new Fuel Observatory will monitor production, imports, exports and stock levels of transport fuels, enabling early identification of potential shortages and more targeted interventions – particularly for sectors such as aviation and heavy transport.

Protecting consumers and businesses from price shocks forms the second pillar. The EC is urging governments to implement targeted support measures, including income assistance, energy vouchers and temporary reductions in electricity taxation for vulnerable households. A State Aid Temporary Framework will provide additional flexibility for member states to support industries most exposed to rising energy costs.

The strategy also depends on accelerating the deployment of homegrown clean energy. A forthcoming Electrification Action Plan will introduce an EU-wide target and outline measures to remove barriers in key sectors including industry, buildings and transport. The plan also calls for rapid deployment of sustainable aviation fuels and other low-carbon transport solutions.

Infrastructure development is considered to be a critical enabler. The EC is pushing for rapid progress on the EU Grids Package and full implementation of existing legislation to modernise electricity networks. Upgrading grids and maximising current renewable assets – through measures such as repowering wind farms and expanding offshore wind and hydropower – are expected to deliver quick gains in clean energy supply.

Financing remains a major challenge. The EC estimates that €660bn in annual investment will be needed through 2030 to meet energy transition goals. While €219bn is available through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, alongside other EU funding streams, public finance alone will not meet the need, it warns. To bridge the gap, the EC has launched a Clean Energy Investment Strategy and plans to convene an investment summit later this year to mobilise private capital.

Developer calls for greater electrification 
A new report from renewables developer Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) argues that large-scale electrification and clean energy deployment are not only central to decarbonisation in Europe, but also essential for energy security and price stability.

Currently, imported fossil fuels meet roughly 40% of Europe’s energy demand at an annual cost of about €250bn, according to the analysis. CIP’s modelling, developed with Ea Energianalyse, suggests that transitioning to a renewable-led, electrified system could see Europe sourcing up to 95% of its electricity from domestic clean energy by 2050, while reducing power prices by as much as 40%.

The report also highlights the structural challenges facing Europe’s energy system.  CIP estimates that around €210bn/y will be needed through 2050 – broadly comparable to current annual spending on fossil fuel imports. A significant share of this investment must be directed towards electricity grids, which are widely seen as a critical bottleneck, it says.

The report also forecasts that Europe will need to invest approximately €2.9tn in grid infrastructure by 2050, or around €120bn/y, to support electrification and integrate large-scale renewable energy.

The report outlines 16 policy recommendations, including safeguarding electricity market design, implementing targeted tax and tariff reforms to improve the competitiveness of clean energy, and incentivising grid operators to invest ahead of demand.

The CIP report, titled Charging ahead – a roadmap for an electrified, competitive and resilient European energy system, can be viewed here.