Commission presents measures to increase EU’s energy independence and affordability

Today, the European Commission presented first initiatives to boost investment in homegrown clean energy solutions, increase resilience and reduce energy prices. The current geopolitical context again reminds us of the risks related to Europe's reliance on imported fossil fuels. Citizens and industries are rightly concerned about high energy prices. Clean energy sources remain the most affordable and safe, and the only mid-term response to reduce our exposure to price volatility.

To make the most of our own energy sources, Europe needs a step change in its energy system and infrastructure. The Commission´s Clean Energy Investment Strategy will help bridge the gap between the private capital currently available and the investments needed. It will help de-risk projects and mobilise private finance for grids, innovative clean energy technologies and energy efficiency. The Commission will deliver this Strategy in close partnership with the European Investment Bank Group which intends to deliver more than €75 billion of financing over the next 3 years in support of the objectives of clean energy transition. In particular, the EIB Group will make a commitment with an indicative amount of up to €500 million to the Strategic Infrastructure Investment Fund. This will provide anchor capital to invest in specific energy infrastructure projects, providing a financial boost to the objectives of theEuropean Grids Package.

Cheaper energy is key to support our industry and competitiveness. But Europe also needs an energy system that puts citizens at the centre - to deliver more affordable energy and support most vulnerable consumers. With the Citizens Energy Package, the Commissionproposes concrete actions to reduce energy bills, empower citizens to produce and share their own clean energy and fight against energy poverty. Consumers can benefit from faster supplier switching, lower taxes and levies on their electricity bills, and more transparent information on energy bills and contracts.

Homegrown, clean energy technologies are key to ensuring reliable and affordable energy and reinforcing the EU's leadership in net-zero technologies. Strengthening European content and building a robust EU supply chain will be essential to reduce import dependencies and ensure strategic autonomy. The Strategy for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) proposes actions that enable EU Member States pursuing this technology to deploy the first operational SMRs in the early 2030s. The Strategy will support industry in accelerating their development and deployment, particularly through the work of the European Industrial Alliance on SMRs. The Commission will consider an additional €200 million InvestEU top-up from the Innovation Fund until 2028 to support the deployment of initial commercial units of innovative nuclear technologies through de-risking guarantees. Today's Strategy sets a vision for building a truly scalable European supply chain. This is essential for securing technological and industrial leadership in the EU and for developing the right skills and strengthening regulatory cooperation while ensuring the highest safety standards.

The proposed measures deliver on the Affordable Energy Action Plan to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, reduce energy dependencies and increase affordability for households. The Commission will present further measures in due course.

Background

The initiatives set out in the Package stem from the long-standing and continuous efforts to increase energy security, competitiveness and affordability. To further enhance these efforts, the Commission in October outlined actions to lower energy prices to bring relief to industries and consumers.

The Action Plan for Affordable Energy, adopted in February 2025, presented actions to lower energy bills in the short term while aiming at more structural measures to modernise Europe's energy system, deliver stable and predictable energy costs, increase efficiency, and expand renewable generation, ensuring that businesses can remain competitive while consumers benefit from affordable energy. The EU has made progress on many of such actions, starting to show its first effects on the ground. In December, it presented the European Grids Package to upgrade EU's energy infrastructure and increase energy security. The EU is also scaling up financial support for infrastructure. As part of the 2028-2034 Multi-annual Financial Framework, the Commission proposed a five-fold increase of the CEF Energy budget from €5.84 billion to €29.91 billion.

Together with today's Package, these initiatives mark a new phase for the clean energy transition, where industrial strength and energy affordability are mutually reinforcing drivers of Europe's long-term competitiveness and resilience.

For More Information

Affordable energy

Industrial Accelerator Act - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Commission launches strategy to accelerate clean energy investment - Energy

Memo Q&A on Clean Energy Investment Strategy

Commission unveils strategy to bring Europe's first SMRs online by the early 2030s - Energy

Memo on Small Modular Reactors Strategy

Commission to boost access to affordable and clean energy for all Europeans

The Commission reaffirms its commitment to boost energy efficiency financing - Energy

Factsheet