The EU is strengthening its commitment to energy in 2026: electrification, efficient heating and energy security will shape the agenda, alongside new targets for the Energy Union and measures to boost grids and clean technologies.
The European Commission’s 2026 work programme confirms that energy will remain a central pillar of EU policy. Under the title 'Europe’s independence moment', the strategy aims to strengthen the integration of the single market and economic resilience, building on ongoing initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal and the Affordable Energy Action Plan.
Among the actions planned for the first quarter are the Electrification Strategy, a dedicated initiative on heating and cooling, and the Energy Security Package, all subject to public consultation this autumn. In the second half of the year, the focus will shift to defining new Energy Union targets for the decade beyond 2030, with legislative proposals on governance, renewable energy, energy efficiency and CO₂ transport.
The programme also includes a strategy for developing Europe’s first fusion plants and regulatory simplification through the Energy Omnibus, scheduled for the second quarter. These measures complement previously announced packages, such as those on electricity grids and clean energy investment, which will be published before the end of 2025.
